200 most important Astronomy topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO)

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) is a state-of-the-art observatory located in Daocheng County, Sichuan Province, China. It is a cutting-edge project designed to detect high-energy cosmic rays and gamma rays from outer space. LHAASO is a collaboration between China and several international partners, including France, Italy, and Switzerland.

What is LHAASO?

LHAASO is an observatory that comprises several different types of detectors, each designed to capture and study different types of particles. The observatory is located at an altitude of over 4,400 meters above sea level, one of the highest points in the world where scientific experiments can be conducted. This location allows LHAASO to detect cosmic rays and gamma rays with much higher energies compared to what can be detected at lower altitudes.

LHAASO is made up of two main types of detectors: the Water Cherenkov Detector (WCD) and the Wide Field of View Cherenkov Telescope (WFCTA). The WCD is a large tank filled with purified water that is lined with photomultiplier tubes. These tubes can detect the faint flashes of light produced when high-energy particles interact with the water. The WFCTA is a set of 18 telescopes that can detect the faint flashes of light produced by high-energy gamma rays as they pass through the atmosphere.

What is LHAASO used for?

LHAASO is used to study high-energy cosmic rays and gamma rays. These are some of the most energetic particles in the universe. Cosmic rays are particles that originate from outside the Solar System and can have energies up to trillions of electron volts. Gamma rays are high-energy photons that are produced by some of the most violent phenomena in the universe, such as supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.

By studying cosmic rays and gamma rays, scientists hope to learn more about the origin and evolution of the universe. They can also use this information to study the properties of matter and the fundamental laws of physics. For example, scientists can use the data from LHAASO to study the acceleration mechanisms that produce cosmic rays and the processes by which gamma rays are produced.

What has LHAASO discovered so far?

LHAASO was commissioned in 2019 and has been operational since 2021. Even though it has only been in operation for a short time, LHAASO has already made some significant discoveries. In July 2021, LHAASO detected a burst of gamma rays from a distant galaxy that was more energetic than any other gamma-ray burst ever detected. This discovery was published in the journal Nature Astronomy and received widespread attention from the scientific community.

In addition to this discovery, LHAASO has also detected several other high-energy cosmic rays and gamma rays that are helping scientists to better understand the universe. As LHAASO continues to operate and collect data, scientists expect to make many more exciting discoveries.