Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001icrc....7.2785h&link_type=abstract
Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference. 07-15 August, 2001. Hamburg, Germany. Under the auspices of the Int
Physics
3
Scientific paper
The paper summarizes the status of the H.E.S.S. project as one of the next-generation instruments for veryhigh-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy. In its first phase, a system of four large Cherenkov telescopes, each with about 100 m2 mirror area, will be installed in the Khomas Highland of Namibia. A later expansion of the system is foreseen. The following status report will briefly touch on the physics goals of the H.E.S.S. instrument which have been covered, for example, in previous proceedings (Kohnle 1999) and will then concentrate on the description of the instrument, the status of its construction, and its anticipated performance. 1 Physics goals of H.E.S.S. The basic physics goal of H.E.S.S. is to provide a comprehensive study of energetic non-thermal phenomena in the universe, using VHE gamma-ray emission as a diagnostic tool, with emphasis on the precise spectral and spatial mapping of sources. VHE gamma rays are (almost) always secondary products; one is primarily interested in the parent populations, including in particular galactic and extragalactic nonthermal electron populations, and the nucleonic component of the nonthermal universe. In addition, issues in observational cosmology and astroparticle physics can be addressed, and sky surveys will provide an unbiased view of the VHE gamma-ray sky. Gamma rays from nonthermal electron populations are characterized by their double-humped spectra governed by synchrotron radiation at low (often keV) energies, and by the Inverse Compton (IC) component at high energies. From the analysis of multiwavelength spectra, the electron spectrum and the local B fields can be determined. Interesting galactic sources include pulsar nebulae; a source of the strength of the Crab Nebula can be detected by H.E.S.S. almost anywhere in
E. S. S Collaboration H.
Hofmann Werner
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