The Cherenkov Telescope Array

TL;DR

The Cherenkov Telescope Array is a next-generation gamma-ray observatory with two sites, offering full-sky coverage and improved sensitivity from 20 GeV to 300 TeV, using diverse telescope arrays for comprehensive observations.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design and capabilities of CTAO, a new ground-based gamma-ray observatory with enhanced sensitivity and coverage, including key science projects for its initial decade.

Findings

Full-sky coverage with two sites in hemispheres

Sensitivity improved by an order of magnitude

Energy coverage from 20 GeV to 300 TeV

Abstract

The Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) is a next-generation facility for ground-based very high energy gamma ray astronomy. CTAO will be operated as an open observatory. With two sites, in the northern and southern hemispheres, the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA will provide full-sky coverage, improving sensitivity by an order of magnitude over current instruments, with a wide gamma ray energy coverage from 20 GeV to 300 TeV. CTA will use telescope arrays composed of three types of telescopes, optimized to cover different energy ranges. The large telescopes covering the lowest energies provide rapid slewing capability, for follow-up of transients. Key Science Projects (KSPs) are developed to form a significant part of the CTAO observing program during the first decade of operation, providing legacy data sets such as surveys or deep observations of key targets.