For those observing gamma rays, there is a new telescope array in town. The prototype Schwarzchild-Couder Telescope is testing a new design for detecting the cascades of light created when high-energy gamma rays strike our atmosphere. Called Cherenkov Radiation, these cascades can be seen streaming away from their origin point on the sky. Until now, the systems used to detect these cascades consisted of massive multi-segment detectors and a prime focus camera that hung awkwardly above the dish. This new system, for the first time, uses a secondary mirror to reflect the light through the segmented reflector, and to instruments below. This allows bigger detectors to be used and grants easier access to the system, allowing easier innovation. To prove their system worked, the Cherenkov telescope array team pointed their scope at the Crab Nebula, one of the nearest sources of massively high-energy particles. And… they were not disappointed. Their prototype system is working nicely and now the work on a larger system can start in earnest. When complete, they will be able to detect, via Cherenkov radiation, sources of the highest energy light in our universe, and we can’t wait to see what they find. 

More Information

Center for Astrophysics  | Harvard & Smithsonian press release 

Cherenkov Telescope Array press release 

The University of Utah press release