Research Highlights

John Matthews, PhD
John Matthews, PhD Robert Lauer, PhD
Robert Lauer, PhD

Professors Matthews and Lauer part of Very High Energy imaging project

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC), represented at UNM by Physics and Astronomy professors John Matthews and Research Professor Robert Lauer, have released images from the first year of successful operations.

Among the released material is an image of ⅔ of the sky seen with very high energy (VHE) gamma rays, clearly showing emission from within the Milky Way galaxy and other prominent high energy sources.

HAWC uses 300 large water tanks holding 200,000 liters each, at a high altitude site in Mexico, to detect ground level particles produced by VHE gamma rays striking the upper atmosphere. Particles traveling through the water tanks produce faint blue light (Cherenkov light) which is captured by HAWC's sensors inside the tanks.

For more information, read the press release.

Department of Physics and Astronomy
The University of New Mexico
Physics, Astronomy, and Interdisciplinary Sciences building (PAÍS)
210 Yale NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-277-2616
505-277-1520 fax