CCUSE «Laboratory of High Energy Physics and Astrophysics»

CCUSE LHEPA

Centre for the Collective Use of Scientific Equipment «Laboratory of High Energy Physics and Astrophysics» of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (CCUSE LHEPA) was created as a separate unit of the Scientific and Research Department of the University. The Centre provides services to support astrophysical research in the field of high-energy physics and astrophysics by providing users of the Centre with observational data obtained by modern X-ray and gamma-ray observatories, in particular, by space missions:

- INTEGRAL (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory);

- XMM-Newton (X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission);

- Chandra XRO (Chandra X-ray Observatory);

- Suzaku (formerly known as Astro-E2);

- Fermi GRST (Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope);

and by the ground-based array of Cherenkov telescopes (Cherenkov Telescope Array, СТА).

The CCUSE LHEPA aims to ensure access to databases of ground-based and space observatories for scientists, students, and all interested groups, to assist in processing observational data of selected astrophysical objects with the Centre’s computational powers, to help Ukrainian astronomers in preparing proposals for observations using modern astronomical instruments

With the help of the Centre, experts in the field of low-energy (radio-optical) astronomy can expand the observation range of their objects to the X-ray and gamma-ray diapasons.

Tasks of the Centre:

• promoting the implementation of state scientific-targeted and technical programs according to the determined priority thematic directions of scientific research and technological development;
• involvement of students, masters, postgraduates, and young scientists from all over Ukraine in research and development work;
• conducting joint and multidisciplinary research with national and international scientific centres and universities;
• promotion of international scientific and technical cooperation.

The participants of the Centre are:

1. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (KNU)
2. Ivan Franko National University of Lviv of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (LNU)
3. Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (BITP).
4. Pidstryhach Institute for Applied Problems of Mechanics and Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IAPMM).
5. Main Astronomical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (MAO).
6. Kyiv Academic University of the of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (KAU).

The Centre uses the material and technical base of the structural divisions of the University and has the right to use the equipment of the structural divisions of its participants following the established procedure.

In the composition of CCUSE LHEPA, the following research modules and systems, the equipment and location of which are determined by an additional agreement, are included:

- Scientific computer VIRGO-centre of high-energy astrophysics to support research in the field of astroparticle physics and processing data from space missions in the X-ray and gamma-ray ranges to support the infrastructure project – the VIrtual Roentgen and Gamma-ray Observatory (VIRGO.UA), opened at KNU (Faculty of Physics, Department of Quantum Field Theory and Astronomy and Space Physics) and in ITF in 2006 with the funds of a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. An additional branch of the VIRGO Centre at the Astronomical Observatory (AO) of KNU was opened in 2013.

- Scientific computer CTA-centre of AO KNU for the maintenance of the international infrastructure project of the construction and operation of the array of Cherenkov telescopes (Cherenkov Telescope Array, CTA). The purpose of the CTA-Observatory is the study of cosmic sources of high energy (E>30 MeV) and very high energy (E>100 GeV) gamma-ray emission. Ukrainian scientists – representatives of KNU, LNU, and IPPMM – became full members of the CTA Consortium in 2015. Tasks of the CTA-centre: ensuring the participation of scientists in the project via preparation of observation programs, development of software for processing observation data, conducting observations, and interpreting their results.

The Centre's computers are equipped with modern original software developed by the scientific teams of X-ray and gamma-ray observatories for processing observation data, and local databases have been created by the Centre’s staff. This provides an opportunity to investigate astrophysical sources of X-ray and gamma-ray emission using all existing and continuously updated high-quality observational data.

Useful astrophysical links:
High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC)
TeVCat - an online catalog for TeV Astronomy
Astrophysics data system (ADS ABS)
HyperLeda - Database for physics of galaxies
gamma-sky
NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED)
Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)
Aladin Sky Atlas
The European Consortium for Astroparticle Theory (EuCAPT)
European Science Cluster of Astronomy & Particle physics ESFRI research infrastructures (ESCAPE)

For ordering, please, fill out the appropriate Application and contact the Head of the CCUSE LHEPA.

If you have used CCUSE «Laboratory of High Energy Physics and Astrophysics» in your research work, we ask for the following acknowledgment:

This research was made with the support of the Centre for the Collective Use of Scientific Equipment "Laboratory of High Energy Physics and Astrophysics" of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.