| PI | Institute/Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Wissel, Stephanie Ann |
Penn State, Department of Physics
|
| Program Manager | Funding Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Marronetti, Pedro |
National Science Foundation
|
Ultra-high-energy neutrinos are unique astrophysical messengers as they interact only weakly with intervening matter and can therefore be used to probe high energy sources and extreme conditions throughout the universe, and to test physics at energies beyond the standard models. With support from this award, the PIs will expand the currently operating Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G) to enable observations of the highest-energy neutrinos. When combined with observations from other messengers like photons, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves, observations of neutrinos made with RNO-G can further advance our understanding of the most powerful cosmic ray accelerators and explosive events in the universe. This award will engage people from a broad range of backgrounds in multi-messenger astrophysics through this research and through dedicated student workshops and activities. This award addresses the priority areas of NSF's "Windows on the Universe" Big Idea.
RNO-G's design is optimized to search for the radio flash generated by neutrino interactions in polar ice using modular stations that act as their own independent experiments. With the large footprint of the full array, RNO-G will have an unprecedented sensitivity and will be the first ultra-high energy neutrino observatory with a view of the Northern sky. This two-year program will continue to build the RNO-G array beyond the seven stations currently installed and operating in Greenland. The supported groups will improve the drill reliability and efficiency to more rapidly install stations in the ice. They will construct and install the instrumentation and commission the stations. They will study radio wave propagation in ice, crucial for accurate modeling of the instrument. They will operate the RNO-G stations in science data-taking mode and study the performance of the instrument.
This collaborative project consisting of Wissel (2310122, Lead, Pennsylvania State University), Vieregg (2310123, University of Chicago), Williams (2310124, University of Alabama), Clark (2310125, University of Maryland), Besson (2310126, University of Kansas Center for Research Inc), Tosi (2310127, University of Wisconsin), Kravchenko (2310128, University of Nebraska) and Seckel (2310129, University of Delaware) is a continuation of the currently operating Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G), previously led by PI Abigail Vieregg. Participants from the science team and from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will travel to Summit Station, Greenland for continued installation of the science array. During 2024 and 2025, participants will continue to install stations as part of the RNO-G array and will also use the BigRAID ice drill to create three 100-meter-deep boreholes at each new site. At each site, the science team will install surface-based antennas, a renewable-energy power system, and a data logger with communications equipment. We will build infrastructure and develop the scientific workforce in EPSCoR districts both by building the RNO-G facility and by training graduate and undergraduate students therein. They plan to implement a new student research exchange program for EPSCoR undergraduates and will further the collaborations with glaciologists to improve the understanding of important ice properties such as ice strain, surface mass balance, ice density, and radio propagation.
In 2024-2025, a field team of up to seventeen will travel via New York Air National Guard to Summit Station each summer for continued work on the array. Although most of the science array components will be installed at off-station locations, participants will sleep at Summit Station each night and will conduct their off-station work as day trips. The RNO-G array will continue science measurement during periods when the science team is not onsite, the project will receive facility support as well as on-site assistance from a Battelle ARO science technician during this time.
Battelle ARO will provide Air National Guard coordination for passengers and cargo, Greenland departure fees, Summit Station user days, Kangerlussuaq lodging, generators, snowmobiles, Operations equipment and trade support, field and safety gear from NSF inventory, science tech support and space, power and network connectivity. Funds for logistics support will be covered by both the NSF and the Belgian Funds for Scientific Research via a direct bill arrangement between agencies. All other logistics will be arranged and paid for through the grant.
| Season | Field Site | Date In | Date Out | #People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2024
|
Greenland - Summit
|
|
|
17
|
|
2025
|
Greenland - Summit
|
|
|
17
|