A PAARE Collaboration in Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astronomy

Two HBCUs and one R1 institution have a unique partnership benefitting all three institutions through sharing resources, exchanging personnel and engaging students and faculty in time domain and multi-messagner astronomy. Our HBCU’s are South Carolina State University (SCSU) and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) with Clemson University our R1 partner. Other collaborators are at Villanova University, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and the Vera Rubin Observatory program.

NSF provided four years of funding under the Partnership in Astronomy and Astrophysics Research and Education (PAARE) program. Our research covers: (1) the study of γ-ray burst (GRB) outflow mechanisms and environments through discovery and analysis of late-time GRB optical flares; (2) the study of Active Galactic Nuclei using optical observations correlated to multi-messenger signals to investigate the production of high-energy cosmic rays; and (3) high-precision studies of pulsating variable stars in the era of Rubin science.

Our network of four 0.5-1.3m telescopes cover a range in longitude of 16 W to 111 W, allowing us to track objects continuously for 12-18 hours. With observatories in both hemispheres, we essentially have all-sky coverage and will respond to transient alerts from Swift, Femi and IceCube. We will also study RR Lyrae stars, delta Scuti stars and Cepheids. Rubin Community Scientists will train faculty and students to prepare for Rubin’s first data release during the third year of our award.

We have an existing Bridge to Masters 3+2, B.S.+M.S. physics Memorandum of Agreement between Clemson and SCSU. Our PAARE will set up a similar arrangement with UVI. Students will benefit from an accelerated program to an M.S. and Clemson will attract highly talented students from a group underrepresented in the field. We are aware of the challenges facing our communities when it comes to stress and mental health. A licensed social worker will train our faculty and students to develop coping skills and to recognize mental health issues in others. We will document our successes and challenges through our external evaluator and communicate our results to the physics community. Our unique partnership will serve as a model for others.