Highlights from the VERITAS AGN Observation Program

TL;DR

This paper reviews the VERITAS AGN observation program, highlighting its extensive VHE gamma-ray detections of over 60 AGN, primarily blazars, and the insights gained from broadband observational campaigns since 2007.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of VERITAS's AGN observations, including detection results and the scientific insights from multi-wavelength studies, representing a significant compilation of VHE AGN data.

Findings

34 AGN detections by VERITAS

Over 4000 hours of observations

Broadband studies enhance understanding of jet processes

Abstract

The VERITAS array of four 12-m imaging atmospheric-Cherenkov telescopes began full-scale operations in 2007, and is one of the world's most sensitive detectors of astrophysical very high energy (VHE; E>100 GeV) gamma rays. Observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are a major focus of the VERITAS Collaboration, and more than 60 AGN, primarily blazars, are known to emit VHE photons. Approximately 4000 hours have been devoted to the VERITAS AGN observation program, resulting in 34 detections. Most of these detections are accompanied by contemporaneous, broadband observations, enabling a more detailed study of the underlying jet-powered processes. Recent highlights of the VERITAS AGN observation program are presented.