TeV Gamma-ray Astronomy: The Story So Far

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state of TeV gamma-ray astronomy, highlighting recent observational progress, the capabilities of existing telescopes, and a catalog of 78 sources across various astrophysical categories.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of TeV gamma-ray sources and discusses the technological and scientific developments shaping the field.

Findings

Catalog of 78 TeV gamma-ray sources compiled

Significant progress in observational capabilities achieved

Features of the TeV gamma-ray universe differ from initial expectations

Abstract

A snapshot is presented of the present status of our knowledge of the TeV gamma-ray universe. Emphasis is put on observations made using the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique. The capabilities of the present generation of telescopes is listed. Progress has been dramatic and several features have been different from what was anticipated. The catalog of sources includes some 78 objects and these are tabulated as extragalactic sources (24), supernovae remnants (11), pulsar wind nebulae (10), binaries (4), miscellaneous (9), diffuse high energy sources (3) and unidentified sources (20). Some comments are made on the factors influencing the past and future development of the field.