Revealing the Dark TeV Sky: The Atmospheric Cherenkov Imaging Technique for Very High Energy Gamma-ray Astronomy

Abstract

The Atmospheric Cherenkov Imaging Technique has opened up the gamma-ray spectrum from 100 GeV to 50 TeV to astrophysical exploration. The development of the technique (with emphasis on the early days) is described as are the basic principles underlying its application to gamma-ray astronomy. The current generation of arrays of telescopes, in particular, VERITAS is briefly described.