The ASTRI Mini-Array Core Science Program

TL;DR

The ASTRI Mini-Array is a new Cherenkov telescope array aiming to explore high-energy gamma-ray sources, cosmic rays, and fundamental physics, promising breakthroughs in astrophysics over its first four years.

Contribution

This paper presents the scientific goals, potential discoveries, and synergies of the ASTRI Mini-Array, a novel telescope array designed for high-energy astrophysics research.

Findings

Simulations show the array's potential for breakthrough discoveries.

The array will investigate cosmic rays, gamma-ray bursts, and fundamental physics.

Synergies with existing VHE facilities enhance its scientific impact.

Abstract

Celestial sources emitting at high-energy (HE, E > 100 MeV) and at very high-energy (VHE, E > 100 GeV) gamma-rays are of the order of a few thousands and a few hundreds, respectively. On the other hand, the number of sources emitting at ultra high-energy (UHE, E > several tens of TeV) gamma-rays are just a few dozens, and are currently being investigated by means of both ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) and particle shower arrays. These rare VHE and UHE sources represent a new frontier in astrophysics. An array composed of nine ASTRI Cherenkov telescopes is under construction at the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife, Spain). The ASTRI Mini-Array aims at providing robust answers to a few selected open questions in the VHE and UHE domains. The scientific program during the first four observing years will be devoted to the following Core Science topics: the origin of cosmic rays, the extra-galactic background light and the study of fundamental physics, the novel field in the VHE domain of gamma-ray bursts and multi-messenger transients, and finally the use of the ASTRI Mini-Array to investigate ultra high-energy cosmic rays and to undertake stellar intensity interferometry studies. We review the scientific prospects assessed through dedicated simulations, proving the potential of the ASTRI Mini-Array in pursuing breakthrough discoveries and discuss the synergies with current and future VHE facilities in the Northern hemisphere, such as MAGIC, LHAASO, HAWC, Tibet AS-$\gamma$, and CTAO-N.