Gamma-ray astrophysics with VERITAS

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This application is for funding to support McGill participation in the VERITAS gamma-ray astronomy project. VERITAS is one of three major gamma-ray astronomy detectors world-wide. It consists of an array of four large telescopes designed to detect ultraviolet and blue light emitted by the energetic electrons and positrons produced when high-energy astrophysical gamma rays interact in the upper atmosphere. Such gamma rays are produced in extreme environments such as supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei. There may also be gamma rays which come from more exotic origins such as annihilation of dark-matter particles in the cores of galaxies or from evaporation of primordial black holes. As such, they could provide clues to particle physics at energies beyond what can be probed at earth-bound accelerators. The VERITAS array was completed in 2007 in southern Arizona and began four-telescope observations in September of that year. So far we have discovered several new high energy sources and have made improved measurements on others that were already known. We have participated in multi-wavelength campaigns with data from X-ray, optical and radio telescopes, as well as the newly launched (2008) Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope which covers the gamma-ray energy range just below that where VERITAS is sensitive. The VERITAS detector has met and exceeded all design specifications and we are about to begin an upgrade program to make it even more sensitive. Based on the output from the first two years we expect a period of high scientific productivity and many exciting new results.