Characterization of extragalactic background light with the MAGIC telescope system

Objective

The proposed project deals with one of the major open problems of Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology. The star and galaxy formation history has built up a diffuse extragalactic radiation field in the ultraviolet to infrared wavelength regime. Direct measurements of this extragalactic background light (EBL) are difficult. The observation of distant sources of GeV-TeV photons using Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) can provide an indirect measurement of the EBL due to attenuation via pair production. The observed spectra therefore carry an imprint of the EBL. MAGIC II is a system of two IACTs starting data taking in Spring 2008. The energy threshold of the MAGIC II will be 50 GeV. One of the key elements to achieve the low energy threshold and high sensitivity is a novel ultra fast readout system combined with a novel analysis technique using timing information. Essential is also the fast access to large samples of data which will be possible using the new MAGIC II datacenter at the host institution. With the high sensitivity and the low energy threshold of the MAGIC II, it will be possible to detect many extragalactic sources of gamma-rays located up to the redshift of z=1. The measurement of precise gamma-ray spectra of many extragalactic sources provides a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the EBL. This evolution is not accessible otherwise. The applicant will be involved: A) in the commissioning of MAGIC II, specifically in the novel readout system in order to lower the energy threshold; B) in development of a novel analysis technique to increase the sensitivity; and C) in a detailed study and precise measurement of the evolution of the EBL up to a redshift of about z=1. This will be the first time that the evolution of the EBL level can be studied. Constraints on Cosmology models and on galaxy evolution scenarios are anticipated from this project.

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.

• humanities history and archaeology history
• natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology galaxy evolution
• natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

• Astrophysics
• Cosmology

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

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.

• PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
See other projects for this call

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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator