Speaker: Gus Sinnis, P23
Time: Tuesday,  Jan. 21st, 2014.  1:00pm-2:00pm.  TA53, bld-1, room A234.

Title: TeV Astrophysics

Abstract: Very high-energy gamma rays are created in some of the most extreme environments in
the universe - supermassive black holes, merging neutron stars, and supernova
remnants.  These environments (and others) are now known to be efficient particle
accelerators.  Over the past decade our ability to detect these gamma rays and study
cosmic particle accelerators has dramatically improved.  Currently there are two
different techniques used to detect very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays.  Imaging
Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes detect the Cherenkov radiation generated in the
atmosphere, while Extensive Air Shower Arrays detect the particles that reach the
ground.   In this talk I will discuss VHE gamma-ray astrophysics, the instruments
used to detect TeV gamma rays, and the future outlook of the field.