Research report 2014 - Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics

The future of gamma-ray astronomy: the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) project

Authors
Hofmann, Werner
Departments

Teilchenphysik und Hochenergie-Astrophysik (Werner Hofmann)

Summary
Since the first discovery of a cosmic source of very high-energy gamma rays, Cherenkov telescope systems have detected more than 150 cosmic accelerators. This break-through has been possible by using a new detection technique based on the effect that gamma quanta high up in the atmosphere produce particle cascades which emit Cherenkov light. Still open questions brought astrophysicists worldwide to join forces for an instrument with considerably higher performance, the Cherenkov Telescope Array comprising up to 100 telescopes of 3 sizes at 2 sites in the North and in the South, respectively.

For the full text, see the German version.

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