VERITAS highlights of observations and results

TL;DR

VERITAS, a sensitive gamma-ray observatory in Arizona, has provided significant insights into astrophysical phenomena such as gamma-ray binaries, the Galactic Center, supernova remnants, blazars, and dark matter searches through extensive multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observations.

Contribution

This paper presents recent observational results from VERITAS, including discoveries and detailed studies of various high-energy astrophysical sources and phenomena, highlighting its capabilities in transient and multi-messenger astronomy.

Findings

Detection of VHE gamma rays from multiple astrophysical sources

Insights into the behavior of gamma-ray binaries and blazars

Constraints on dark matter from indirect searches

Abstract

Located in southern Arizona, VERITAS is amongst the most sensitive detectors for astrophysical very high energy (VHE; E>100 GeV) gamma rays and has been operational since April 2007. We highlight some recent results from VERITAS observations. These include the long-term observations of the gamma-ray binaries HESS J0632+057 and LS I +61{\deg} 303, the observations of the Galactic Center region, and of the supernova remnant Cas~A. We discuss the results from a decade of multi-wavelength observations of the blazar 1ES 1215+303, the EHT 2017 campaign on the M87 galaxy, the discovery of 3C 264 in VHE, and the observation of three flaring quasars. Brief highlights of the indirect dark matter searches and targets-of-opportunity (ToO) observations are also discussed. The ToO observations allow for rapid follow-up of multi-messenger alerts and astrophysical transients.