Author: T.C.Weekes, Whipple Observatory, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA, P.O. Box 97, Amado, AZ 85645-0097, U.S.A.
Title: High Energy Astrophysics
Abstract: The development of the atmospheric Cherenkov imaging technique has led to signi_cant advancesin -ray detection sensitivity in the energy range from 200 GeV to 50 TeV. The Whipple Observatory10m re ector has detected the _rst galactic and extragalactic sources in the Northern Hemisphere;the Crab Nebula has been established as the standard candle for ground-based -ray astronomy.The highly variable Active Galactic Nuclei, Markarian 421 and Markarian 501, have proved to beparticularly interesting. A new generation of telescopes with improved sensitivity has the promise ofinteresting measurements of fundamental phenomena in physics and astrophysics. VERITAS (theVery Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) is one such next generation system; itis an array of seven large atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes planned for a site in southern Arizona.