Early Days of Cherenkov Emission and the Development of Ground-Based Gamma-Ray Astronomy
by
DrRazmick Mirzoyan(Max-Planck-Institute for Physics)
→
Europe/Berlin
Auditorium (MPI fuer Physik)
Auditorium
MPI fuer Physik
Description
In the recent two decades the ground-based technique of imaging
atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes has established itself as a
powerful new discipline in science. As of today some ~150 sources
of gamma rays of very different types, of both galactic and
extra-galactic origin, have been discovered due to this technique.
The study of these sources is providing clues to many basic
questions in astrophysics, astro-particle physics, physics of
cosmic rays and cosmology.
The current generation of telescopes, despite the young age of the
technique, offers a solid performance. The technique is still
maturing, leading to the next generation large instrument known
under the name Cherenkov Telescope Array.
The latter's sensitivity will be an order of magnitude higher
than that of the currently best instruments VERITAS, H.E.S.S.
and MAGIC. This presentation will be devoted to outlining the
milestones in a long history that step-by-step have given shape
to this technique and have brought about today's successful
source marathon.