Cosmic rays are predominantly nuclei, in particular protons. However, the less abundant cosmic-ray electrons and positrons are also important probes of open questions in astrophysics and particle physics. The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope, designed to study the high-energy universe with gamma rays, is also an excellent electron and positron detector. Ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes have also measured cosmic-ray electrons and positrons up to several TeV. PAMELA, Fermi, and AMS have discovered a surprising excess of positrons between 10 GeV and 350 GeV. I will describe these measurements and their implications for astrophysics and particle physics, as well as prospects for future measurements.
Event Details
Date/Time:
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Date:Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 11:00am
Location:
Boggs 1-90 (CRA Visualization Lab)