Project description
Exploring cosmic rays and the mystery behind their sources
Cosmic rays (CRs), a phenomenon discovered more than a century ago, remain a mystery as their sources are still unidentified. Galactic sources capable of accelerating CRs up to PeV energies have yet to be discovered. The expected candidates, supernova remnants, have difficulties reaching such high energies. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CORNO GRANDE project will leverage recent observations of ultra-high-energy gamma rays by the LHAASO detector to investigate and help elucidate this mystery. It will explore how different scenarios for CR transport around sources could affect LHAASO’s ability to resolve PeV sources, examine whether star clusters may be potential PeVatrons and assess how this could impact the morphology of gamma-ray and neutrino Galactic diffuse emission.
Objective
While cosmic rays (CRs) were discovered more than a century ago, their sources have not been firmly identified yet. It is commonly believed that CRs below PeV energy have a Galactic origin. However, we struggle to find Galactic sources able to accelerate CR up to PeV energy. The standard candidates, supernova remnants (SNRs), do not seem to reach such high energies, suggesting the need for an alternative source class. A key factor in addressing this question is the observation of other messengers, such as gamma rays and neutrinos. These particles, produced by CR interactions with the interstellar medium, carry valuable information about the locations of sources, and the propagation of CRs around sources and through the Galaxy.
The LHAASO detector recently reported the observation of ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma rays from various sources, including the Cygnus cocoon, providing a first experimental proof that star clusters (SCs) might be PeVatrons. Additionally, observations suggest that the regions around some of these sources exhibit a reduced diffusion coefficient, likely due to high levels of magnetic turbulence. With LHAASO unveiling the UHE gamma-ray sky, it is timely and crucial to use these observations to identify the sources of CRs. In the first work package (WP) of CORNO GRANDE, we will investigate how different scenarios for CR transport around sources affect the capability of LHAASO to resolve PeV sources.
In the second WP, we will explore SCs as potential PeVatrons. In particular, we will use a semi-analytical model to describe CR propagation from SCs and SNRs. By computing the CR flux at Earth and comparing it with local measurements, we will constrain the magnetic turbulence around sources. In the last WP, we will constrain the number of PeV SCs in our population using the LHAASO catalog. Finally, we will calculate the gamma-ray and neutrino diffuse emission produced by our population and compare it with recent measurements by LHAASO and IceCube.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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00136 ROMA
Italy
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