PeV Gamma-ray Astronomy With Panoramic Optical SETI Telescopes

TL;DR

This paper explores using PANOSETI telescopes, originally designed for SETI, as a cost-effective gamma-ray observatory capable of detecting PeV gamma-rays through Cherenkov radiation, with promising initial results and simulations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of PANOSETI telescopes as a novel, affordable gamma-ray detection array with performance comparable to traditional IACTs.

Findings

Successful coincident observations with VERITAS

Simulations show promising angular resolution

Potential for constructing large gamma-ray arrays

Abstract

The Panoramic Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (PANOSETI) experiment is designed to detect pulsed optical signals on nanosecond timescales. PANOSETI is therefore sensitive to Cherenkov radiation generated by extensive air showers, and can be used for gamma-ray astronomy. Each PANOSETI telescope uses a 0.5 m Fresnel lens to focus light onto a 1024 pixel silicon photomultiplier camera that images a 9.9$^\circ\times$9.9$^\circ$ square field of view. Recent detections of PeV gamma-rays from extended sources in the Galactic Plane motivate constructing an array with effective area and angular resolution surpassing current observatories. The PANOSETI telescopes are much smaller and far more affordable than traditional imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACT), making them ideal instruments to construct such an array. We present the results of coincident observations between two PANOSETI telescopes and the gamma-ray observatory VERITAS, along with simulations characterizing the performance of a PANOSETI IACT array.