Particle Astrophysics Advisory Panel

Report

Outline•Our input to the Prioritisation process

•Outcome of Prioritisation

•Our response

•Priorities in present climate

•Opportunities

•Present status

Temperature (µK)

+200

-200

UK Particle Astrophysics

• Astrophysical Neutrinos (MINOS, T2K, SNO+, Supernemo, IceCube, KM3net, LAGUNA)

• CMB polarisation studies (QUAD, PLANCK, CLOVER)

• Cosmic rays (AUGER South, ANITA, ACORNE)

• Direct dark matter detection (CRESST, EDELWEISS, ZEPLIN, DRIFT, ArDM, plans for EURECA, LUX-ZEPLIN)

• Gamma ray astronomy (Ground-based: HESS, VERITAS, plans for CTA, space-based: INTEGRAL, SWIFT, plans for FERMI)

• Gravitational wave detection (GEO, LIGO, Advanced-LIGO, LISA)

• Particle astrophysics theory (cosmology, DM, GW’s, neutrino’s and particle accel.)

Before Prioritisation

Advisory Panel Overlaps

• Particle astrophysics theory – PPAP and FUAP

• Gamma ray astronomy - FUAP

• Direct dark matter detection - PPAP, NPAP

• Gravitational wave detection - FUAP

• Neutrinos - PPAP

• CMB polarisation studies - FUAP

Recommendations

Area Breadth Risk Impact UK Strength

Cost

Gamma Rays

Medium Low Medium/High

Medium Low

Cosmic rays

Low/Medium

Low Medium/High

Medium/Low

Low

CMB Pol Low High High High MediumDark Matter Low High High High Medium

Gravity Waves

Medium/High

Medium High High High

Neutrino Medium/High

Medium Medium/High

Medium/High

Medium

Recommendations“We recommend supporting a portfolio of facilities in particle astrophysics that

balances scientific breadth, impact, UK strength and cost and includes strong

support for theory and exploitation of facilities.”

Prioritisation Outcome

Prioritisation OutcomeOf the 4 ‘essential’ areas recommended, only one

(Gravity Waves) received funding beyond the next few months

•No provision for future direct searches for dark matter (Peer review of EURECA & LUX ZEPLIN aborted)

•No provision for future Gamma-Rays (Peer review of CTA aborted)

•Astrophysical neutrinos not supported

Additionally,

•No provision for future CMB polarisation work

•No provision for future Cosmic Rays work

Since then...Cerenkov Telescope Array

•Very highly ranked (13.5/15) in the FP7 "Preparatory Phase" call: well above funding threshold.

•The UK leads one of the three telescope types in this 6 Meuro proposal

•CTA-UK intend to continue in this role with EU, Leverhulme Trust, and University funding.

•Warning: Opportunity for leadership of key WP in transformative project is rapidly being endangered.

Since then...ZEPLIN

•Advised to apply to AGP for exploitation-only grant

•Statements regarding managed withdrawal from Boulby ‘softened’

•Timing of funding crisis completely at odds with the scientific case for direct (and indirect searches)

Since then...EDELWEISS - EURECA

•UK groups remain fully committed to EURECA

•The EURECA collaboration has expressed a strong wish that Hans Kraus remain their spokesman, despite the regrettable UK funding situation.

•For now, contingency plan is to continue with EDELWEISS as best as is possible in the current climate.

•Warning: an opportunity for UK lead roles in both the main technologies is being missed

Since then...LAGUNA and underground physics

•FP7 Design study evaluating sites - Boulby?

•Lack of UK commitment cannot help

•ILIAS positively reviewed by the EU in the context of the call FP7-Infrastructures-2010-1

•Case for (UK)NF stronger?

Since then...AUGER

•The UK has given notice that it will withdraw from the Auger Collaboration on 31 December 2011.

•STFC will pay operating costs until that time and the grants to Leeds and Oxford, which would otherwise have run out in the next few months, have been extended on a no extra cost basis to allow UK involvement to continue until that date.

Since then...

Fresh Advice• The present outcome does irreparable damage to well

established, world class science.

• Particle Astrophysics is internationally recognised as a ‘growth’ area, in which the UK has genuine strength. The present outcome removes our ability to participate in future projects, and wastes past investment.

• At an absolute minimum, it is essential to maintain a base level of support in gamma-ray astronomy, direct searches for dark matter, and astrophysical neutrinos (as well as gravity waves).

• The cost envelope to do so is surprisingly small

Gamma rays: c. £200k/a; Dark matter c. £500 k/a; Neutrinos c. £200k/a

Science and Technology Ctte, The Impact of Spending Cuts on Science and Scientific Research