The cherenkov telescope array

Abstract

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a next-generation observatory proposed for very high-energy gamma rays aiming to achieve complete sky coverage, improve sensitivity by about an order of magnitude over current imaging air Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), cover an energy range of about four decades (from a few tens of GeV to above 100 TeV), and to enhance angular and energy resolutions. CTA will have a large discovery potential in key areas of astronomy, astrophysics and fundamental physics research. These include the study of the origin of cosmic rays and their impact on the constituents of the universe, the investigation of the nature and variety of black hole particle accelerators, and enquiries into the ultimate properties of matter and physics beyond the Standard Model.