The MAGIC telescope

Abstract

The MAGIC telescope, with its mirror surface of 236 m2, is the largest and most advanced Cherenkov telescope in the world and the ground instrument with the lowest threshold and highest sensitivity in the cosmic γ-ray energy domain below about 200 GeV. MAGIC ended its commissioning phase last winter and regular observations for a rich and exciting physics programme embracing astrophysics and fundamental physics began. In parallel, the construction of a second telescope with a similar structure but using improved technologies in some of its elements is already on the way, with the goal of starting operation during 2007. This second phase in the MAGIC collaboration project will make the MAGIC installation the most powerful very-high-energy γ-ray observatory in the world.