VERITAS Telescope 1 Relocation: Details and Improvements

TL;DR

The paper discusses the relocation of VERITAS Telescope 1 to optimize array layout, leading to significant improvements in sensitivity and detection efficiency for gamma-ray observations.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the relocation process and quantifies the resulting enhancements in array performance and sensitivity.

Findings

30% increase in sensitivity

60% reduction in source detection time

Improved array symmetry and effective area

Abstract

The first VERITAS telescope was installed in 2002-2003 at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory and was originally operated as a prototype instrument. Subsequently the decision was made to locate the full array at the same site, resulting in an asymmetric array layout. As anticipated, this resulted in less than optimal sensitivity due to the loss in effective area and the increase in background due to local muon initiated triggers. In the summer of 2009, the VERITAS collaboration relocated Telescope 1 to improve the overall array layout. This has provided a 30% improvement in sensitivity corresponding to a 60% change in the time needed to detect a source.