On January 21, the LACT project of a large-scale ultra-high energy gamma source three-dimensional tracking device officially started construction, which will provide an important tool for exploring the mystery of the origin of cosmic rays.
LACT is composed of 32 6-meter-diameter imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, and is arranged in an array of cables at the high-altitude cosmic ray observatory of Daocheng at an altitude of 4,410 meters. It adopts spatial stereoscopic tracking observation technology, which can achieve high-angle resolutions better than 0.06°, and is expected to greatly improve the observation ability of candidates for cosmic ray origin.
It is understood that the LACT project is led by the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Sichuan Tianfu Cosmic Line Research Center, and is jointly built with many domestic universities and research institutes. The project is expected to be completed in 2028. After completion, the angular resolution of the cable of the high-altitude cosmic ray observatory will be increased by more than 5 times, and the celestial bodies of origin of ultra-high energy gamma rays can be positioned. LACT's ultra-high angle resolution and the strongest gamma source survey capabilities of the cable will form a complementary advantage and a strong combination, forming a large ultra-high energy gamma ray observation facility with comprehensive observation capabilities, further consolidating my country's leading position in the field of cosmic ray research.
(CCTV reporter Shuai Junquan Chu Erjia)
