Astroparticle physics: signals in space
Radiation from the cosmos
Space beyond the terrestrial atmosphere provides an ideal environment
for the investigations of astroparticle physics. Experimental
apparatus from elementary particle physics is deployed aboard
stratospheric balloons, satellites, and space stations for the
direct detection of dark-matter particles and regions of antimatter.
In this area of research, the INFN has conquered a prominent
role during the last few decades, making significant contributions
in the transfer of technologies and detectors from particle
physics to experiments in space.
The AMS-01 detector, which flew on Shuttle mission STS-91, redrew
the map of the radiation surrounding the Earth. The telescopes
NINA1 and NINA2, respectively on board the Russian satellite
Resurs and the Italian satellite MITA, continuously monitor
solar activity. Two other detectors are currently in advanced
construction phases, AMS-02 and PAMELA, which will be installed
respectively on the International Space Station and a Russian
Resurs-class satellite within the next few years. These experiments,
which will remain in space for at least three years, are dedicated
to the search for dark matter. In particular, they will look
for evidence of the existence of supersymmetric particles. They
will also detect traces of antimatter of primordial or stellar
origin, if any are present, and will contribute to understanding
the mystery of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in
the universe.
The study of gamma rays in a particular energy interval must
also necessarily be conducted using space-based experiments
due to the effects of photon absorption in the atmosphere. Gamma-ray
astronomy is a young science, born together with the age of
space exploration, and has many areas of study in common with
astroparticle physics. Gamma-ray astronomy is the best method
for studying some galactic and extragalactic phenomena that
play a key role in the evolution of the universe, such as supernova
explosions, emissions from active galactic nuclei, and violent
emissions from gamma-ray bursts. The AGILE and GLAST experiments,
to which the INFN is making important contributions, will be
the first missions of this decade in this fundamentally important
field of research.
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