Pachmarhi Array of Cerenkov Telescopes

Abstract

This talk is based on the Very High Energy Gamma Ray Astronomy observations planned to be carried out at Pachmarhi in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh using the well known atmospheric \v Cerenkov technique. The development of a ground based array of 25 \v Cerenkov telescopes is currently underway at Pachmarhi situated at an altitutde of about a kilometer. Using this array it is proposed to sample the \v Cerenkov light pool at various distances from the shower core in order to estimate the lateral distribution parameters of the shower. Simulation studies have shown that these parametrs would enable one to distinguish gamma ray initiated showers from those by cosmic ray charged particles, thus significantly improving the signal to noise ratio. After summarizing the genesis of VHE gamma ray astronomy in our institute we will discuss the scientific motivation of this concept of enriching the gamma ray signal as compared to the standard imaging technique. The current status of the detector development and the expected results will be presented.