The Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory: Status and Prospects

TL;DR

The paper discusses the development, status, and future prospects of the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory, a new gamma-ray facility designed to complement existing observatories with wide coverage and high duty cycle in the southern sky.

Contribution

It provides an update on SWGO's design, technological progress, site search, and expected scientific capabilities, highlighting its role alongside other gamma-ray observatories.

Findings

SWGO aims to provide wide-field gamma-ray observations of the southern sky.

The project is in the design and prototyping phase with ongoing technological development.

Expectations include enhanced sensitivity and new science targets in gamma-ray astronomy.

Abstract

The Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) Collaboration is currently engaged in design and prototyping work towards the realisation of this future gamma-ray facility. SWGO will complement CTA and the existing ground-particle based-detectors of the Northern Hemisphere (HAWC and LHAASO) with a very wide field and high duty cycle view of the southern sky. Here I summarise the status of the project and plans for the future, including expectations for sensitivity and science targets as well as the status of the site search and technological developments.