‘Astronomy with Very-High-Energy Gamma Rays: The Sky in a New Light’

Over the last decade, very-high-energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy has developed in giant steps. Gamma rays provide a different and novel view of the Universe. They trace populations of energetic particles and enable the cosmic particle accelerators to be imaged and studied. Gamma-ray-emitting particle accelerators have been found to be ubiquitous in the galaxy and beyond. Systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) have played a key role in advancing this new branch of astronomy. This lecture explores the motivation driving these developments, discusses the instruments used and key discoveries, and concludes with an outlook towards the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA, a worldwide project aiming to take this novel exploration of the Universe to the next level.