Cherenkov Telescope Array
Encyclopedia
The Cherenkov Telescope Array or CTA is a project to build a new generation ground-based gamma-ray instrument in the energy range extending from some tens of GeV
to above 100 TeV
. It is proposed as an open observatory and will consist of two arrays of IACT
s, a first array at the northern hemisphere
with emphasis on the study of extragalactic objects at the lowest possible energies, and a second array at the southern hemisphere
, which is to cover the full energy range and concentrate on galactic sources. The physics program of CTA goes beyond high energy astrophysics into Cosmology
and Fundamental Physics.
CTA intends to improve the flux sensitivity of the current generation of IACTs such as MAGIC
, HESS
, and VERITAS
by an order of magnitude. It will foreseeable consist of tens of IACTs of different mirror sizes. The first telescope prototypes could start in 2010. CTA is designed and will be built by an international collaboration of scientists, with a strong involvement of European institutions. The project is in the road-map of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), the European Astroparticle Physics network ASPERA
and the European Astrophysics network Astronet
.
GEV
GEV or GeV may stand for:*GeV or gigaelectronvolt, a unit of energy equal to billion electron volts*GEV or Grid Enabled Vehicle that is fully or partially powered by the electric grid, see plug-in electric vehicle...
to above 100 TeV
TEV
TEV may refer to:* TeV, or teraelectronvolt, a measure of energy* Total Enterprise Value, a financial measure* Total Economic Value, an economic measure* Tobacco etch virus, a plant pathogenic virus of the family Potyviridae....
. It is proposed as an open observatory and will consist of two arrays of IACT
IACT
The IACT or Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique is the method whereby very high energy gamma-ray photons in the 50 GeV to 50 TeV range can be detected by ground based telescopes. There are currently four major ground based telescopes including CANGAROO III, MAGIC, HESS and VERITAS...
s, a first array at the northern hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
with emphasis on the study of extragalactic objects at the lowest possible energies, and a second array at the southern hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, which is to cover the full energy range and concentrate on galactic sources. The physics program of CTA goes beyond high energy astrophysics into Cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
and Fundamental Physics.
CTA intends to improve the flux sensitivity of the current generation of IACTs such as MAGIC
MAGIC (telescope)
MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level...
, HESS
Hess
Hess or Heß may refer to:* People with the surname Hess * Hess Educational Organization, the largest private provider of English instruction in the Republic of China...
, and VERITAS
VERITAS
VERITAS is a major ground-based gamma-ray observatory with an array of four 12m optical reflectors for gamma-ray astronomy in the GeV - TeV energy range. The telescope design is based on the design of the existing 10m gamma-ray telescope of the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory...
by an order of magnitude. It will foreseeable consist of tens of IACTs of different mirror sizes. The first telescope prototypes could start in 2010. CTA is designed and will be built by an international collaboration of scientists, with a strong involvement of European institutions. The project is in the road-map of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), the European Astroparticle Physics network ASPERA
Aspera European Astroparticle network
ASPERA is a network of national government agencies responsible for coordinating and funding national research efforts in Astroparticle Physics....
and the European Astrophysics network Astronet
Astronet
Starting September 2005, 1st, Astronet is a consortium which gather European funding agencies in order to «establish a comprehensive long-term planning for the development of European astronomy»- Participants :*CNRS/INSU , France,...
.