Very High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Abstract

We present a review of the current status of very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. The development of the atmospheric Cherenkov imaging technique for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has led to a rapid growth in the number of observatories. The detection of TeV gamma rays from Active Galactic Nuclei was unexpected and is providing new insights into the emission mechanisms in the jets. Next generation telescopes are under construction and will increase dramatically the knowledge available at this extreme end of the cosmic electromagnetic spectrum.