Gamma-ray astronomy in the summer of 2009

TL;DR

This paper provides a snapshot of gamma-ray astrophysics in mid-2009, highlighting recent observational advances driven by ground-based arrays and space missions like Fermi and Agile.

Contribution

It offers a summary of the field's state during 2009 based on conference presentations, capturing a moment of rapid observational progress.

Findings

Advancements in ground-based gamma-ray arrays

Launch and operation of Fermi and Agile satellites

Significant observational progress in gamma-ray astrophysics

Abstract

This paper presents a snapshot of the field of $\gamma$-ray astrophysics in the early summer of 2009, as it was discussed in about 200 presentations at the International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC) held in {\L}\'{o}d\'{z}, Poland. This is the written wrap up of a Rapporteur, one-hour talk and as such it is thus an atypical review, a still picture in a moment of great advancement in an observationally driven field, led by the full operation of ground-based arrays and the launch and operations of Fermi and Agile.