| PI | Institute/Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Wissel, Stephanie Ann |
Penn State, Department of Physics
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| Besson, David Z |
The University of Kansas, Department of Physics & Astronomy
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| Clark, Brian A |
University of Maryland
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| Kravchenko, Ilya |
University of Nebraska
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| Seckel, David |
University of Delaware
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| Tosi, Delia |
University of Wisconsin
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| Vieregg, Abigail |
U of Chicago, Department of Physics
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| Williams, Dawn |
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
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| Program Manager | Funding Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Marronetti, Pedro |
National Science Foundation
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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 RNO-G institutions 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 and upgrade stations as part of the RNO-G array. In support of this, drill teams will use the BigRAID ice drill to create three 100-meter-deep boreholes at each new site and science teams will install antennas in the boreholes in 2024. In the 2025 season, the science team will install: antennas at the surface, a renewable-energy power system, and a data acquisition system with communications equipment. The group will build infrastructure and develop the scientific workforce in NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) districts both by building the RNO-G facility and by training graduate and undergraduate students. The group plans 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, 15 science team members traveled to Summit Station in a series of drill and science team deployments. The drill team's fieldwork involved troubleshooting of the BigRAID ice drill and drilling at RNO-G Sites 14 and 15. The science teams deployed equipment at RNO-G site 14 to bring the new station online, as well as performed maintenance, equipment upgrades, and wind turbine installations at the existing seven RNO-G stations.
In April and May 2025, three calibration team members will travel to Summit Station to use three existing, on-station boreholes for measurements in support of calibrations for the RNO-G array. The team will use winches to deploy antennas and cameras into the DISC, GISP-2, and 325 m borehole drilled by the Saltzman 2243540 project in Summer 2024. While working at Summit Station, the calibration team will use one of the benches in the Mobile Science Facility (MSF) as workspace. A snowmobile and Siglin sled will be used to transport a generator, winches, and science equipment between the MSF and the borehole sites.
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. Logistical support for the work will be funded in part through an NSF award, and in part through reimbursable arrangements with Abigail Vieregg at the University of Chicago and the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research. All other logistics will be arranged and paid for through the grant.
| Season | Field Site | Date In | Date Out | #People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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2024
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Greenland - Summit
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17
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2025
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Greenland - Summit
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12
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