The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a space-based particle detector launched in a sun-synchronous orbit on December 17, 2015 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in China. The main goals of the DAMPE mission include the study of the electron-positron energy spectrum, the study of galactic cosmic rays, gamma-ray astronomy, and indirect dark matter searches. Among its subdetectors, the deep BGO calorimeter makes DAMPE able to measure the cosmic-ray electrons and positrons (CRE) spectrum up to 10 TeV and cosmic-ray nuclei (CR) spectra up to 100 TeV, with unprecedented energy resolution. This high-energy region is important in order to search for possible nearby CRE sources, for dark matter signatures, and to have a better understanding of CR acceleration and propagation mechanisms inside the Galaxy. A break at about 1 TeV was clearly evidenced by DAMPE in the CRE energy spectrum. Moreover, DAMPE precise measurements of CR protons and helium spectra, confirmed the hardening at few hundreds GeV/n and revealed a spectral softening at about 14 and 30 TeV for p and He, respectively, suggesting a rigidity dependent mechanism. About 250 gamma ray sources were detected and identified. Spectral analyses on medium and heavy mass nuclei are currently ongoing. The main results of the mission will be presented, along with ongoing activities.
Selected Results from the DAMPE Space Mission
De Mitri, I.
;Parenti, A.;Silveri, L.
2021-01-01
Abstract
The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a space-based particle detector launched in a sun-synchronous orbit on December 17, 2015 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in China. The main goals of the DAMPE mission include the study of the electron-positron energy spectrum, the study of galactic cosmic rays, gamma-ray astronomy, and indirect dark matter searches. Among its subdetectors, the deep BGO calorimeter makes DAMPE able to measure the cosmic-ray electrons and positrons (CRE) spectrum up to 10 TeV and cosmic-ray nuclei (CR) spectra up to 100 TeV, with unprecedented energy resolution. This high-energy region is important in order to search for possible nearby CRE sources, for dark matter signatures, and to have a better understanding of CR acceleration and propagation mechanisms inside the Galaxy. A break at about 1 TeV was clearly evidenced by DAMPE in the CRE energy spectrum. Moreover, DAMPE precise measurements of CR protons and helium spectra, confirmed the hardening at few hundreds GeV/n and revealed a spectral softening at about 14 and 30 TeV for p and He, respectively, suggesting a rigidity dependent mechanism. About 250 gamma ray sources were detected and identified. Spectral analyses on medium and heavy mass nuclei are currently ongoing. The main results of the mission will be presented, along with ongoing activities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
