Fermi Summer School 2011

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has initiated an era of very broad energy coverage in the gamma-ray band. The combination of Fermi GBM and LAT provide observations of gamma-ray bursts and transients from 8 keV to >300 GeV. The combination of Fermi-LAT and ground-based gamma-ray observatories currently allows us to probe the high-energy emission from astrophysical sources over at least five orders of magnitude, including the previously unexplored territory from 10 to 100 GeV. These combinations of telescopes allow the measurement of broad-band spectra, the study of energy-dependent source morphologies, and correlated observations of time-variable sources, both within the gamma-ray energy range and with observations at longer wavelengths. These measurements provide critical diagnostics with which to identify source characteristics, particle acceleration and photon emission mechanisms. The 2011 Fermi Summer School will focus on the overlap between ground-based and space-based gamma-ray astronomy, both technically and scientifically, and will include hands-on workshops and science talks by experts in both fields. The school will be held at the University of Delaware Conference Center in Lewes, Delaware, from May 31 - June 10, 2011.

Material will be aimed at graduate students and recent PhDs. Topics will include space-based and ground-based instrumentation; spectral, spatial, and time-based analysis of gamma-ray data; particle acceleration and gamma-ray production mechanisms; and astrophysical source classes such as AGN, GRBs, pulsars, binary systems, supernova remnants, and pulsar wind nebulae.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: April 15, 2011
• School: May 31 - June 10, 2011

Program

View the schedule and download PDF's of the presentations.

The program will be balanced between topical lectures and hands-on workshops.

Lectures - to be announced.

The workshops will combine instructors with small groups of students working on projects related to a specific topic. Workshop topics will cover GRBs, AGN, likelihood analysis of LAT data, fundamentals of high energy astrophysics, and instrument analysis and performance for atmospheric Cherenkov, water Cherenkov and pair conversion telescopes. Leaders include Chuck Dermer (NRL), Benoit Lott (CNRS/IN2P3, University of Bordeaux), Valerie Connaughton (University of Alabama), Eric Charles (SLAC/KIPAC), Gernot Maier (DESY), and John Pretz (LANL).

Application Information

• Deadline: April 15, 2011
• Attendance is limited and will be based on the statement of interest and order of application.

To apply, complete one of the provided templates and send to fermischool2011@bigbang.gsfc.nasa.gov.

• Application Templates: Word and PDF

Attendance Fee:

• $1000 for a shared double room.
• $1500 for a single room. (Subject to limited availability)

The attendance fee covers lodging (nights of May 30 - June 9) and some meals. Included meals are breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks for May 31 - June 10 excluding Sunday, June 5. Details on payment will be provided to accepted applicants.

Contact

fermischool2011@bigbang.gsfc.nasa.gov