Cherenkov Telescope Array - next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory
Abstract
The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is proposed as a next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory for very high energy astronomy (>10 GeV). CTA will consist of a hybrid array of several types of Cherenkov telescopes, planning to (a) extend the energy range by an order of magnitude and provide coverage from a few tens of GeV to beyond 100 TeV, (b) increase sensitivity by an order of magnitude at around 1 TeV (c) significantly improve angular resolution and enable morphological studies of sources, (d) increase field of view which together with large photon detection area facilitates unparalleled research of transient phenomena at high energies, and (e) enhance the all sky survey capability and the flexibility of operation through the use of sub-arrays or alternative pointing methods. CTA is planned to be operated as a proposal-driven observatory with dedicated data center providing access to the data and analysis tools. CTA consortium pursuing construction of the observatory includes about seven hundred collaborators
from Europe, North and South Americas, Asia, and Africa.In this talk an overview of the CTA technology and the status of the project will be given focusing on activities and future contributions of CTA-US members of the consortium. A few examples illustrating the physics potential of CTA will be also presented.- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #12
- Pub Date:
- September 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011HEAD...12.0501V