Fermi Masterclass 2019 - NASA in highschools

What is it?

Masterclasses (typically given by big experiments such as LHC) are International events which provide an opportunity for high-school students to experience first-hand data analysis.
CAC/UNG will organize such event, using the data a NASA satellite Fermi LAT on April 5th, 2019 in coordination with four Italian Institutions University of Bari, University of Perugia, University of Torino and University of Trieste.

The topic and objectives

The topic of the masterclass will be Active Galactic Nuclei and Multi-Messenger astrophysics. One of the great examples of modern multi-messenger astrophysics was a discovery of high-energy neutrino, which was detected simultaneously with gamma-rays from a flairing AGN (a faraway black hole), detected first by the Fermi LAT and shown schematically on the image to the right. Such discovery resulted in Science article.

During the Masterclass, students will learn the basic concepts in gamma-ray astronomy and will get a chance to analyze the light curve of AGNs first hand.

The goal of the exercise will be to localize the flaring of a powerful AGN, much like the one that resulted in detected neutrino emission in 2018. The results will then be compared with those from other astrophysics centers in Italy, who will perform a similar analysis in different time intervals and the light curve of this source will be drawn together.

Poster_Fermi_Masterclass_2019

Tentative Programme

10:00 -10:15 Welcome

10:15-10:45 Intro to Gamma-Ray astronomy

10:45-11:15 Intro to Black Hole (astro-) physics and multi-messenger astrophysics

11:15 – 11:45 Coffee Break

11:45 -12:15 Fermi LAT telescope and photon events

12:15 -12:30 Kahoot quiz

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch – Pizza in GoldClub

14:00 – 15:45 Hands on exercise: Light curve of the AGN source

15:45 – 16:15 Coffee Break

16:15 – 16:30 Comparison of student work with other institutions

16:30 – 17:15 Video Call with NASA scientist – Prof. David Thompson from NASA Godard

17:15 End of activities

Who can apply and how to register?

The event is intended for interested high-school students. It is held during a school day, so the agreement from physics teachers will be needed.

To register, please send an email specifying your full name, school, class and the name of the physics professor to: fermi.masterclass.ung@gmail.com

Please note that the number of places is limited, attendance will be on a first come first served base. We also might cancel the class if the number of interested students is less than 5.

Registration deadline: March 22.

Registered students

Ema Stopar
Špela Poljšak
Lara Ivančič
Aleksij Drnovšček
Nej Bizjak
Miha Obidič
Deni Mihelj
Svit Mlinar