Recent results from VHE gamma astrophysics related to fundamental physics and cosmic rays A. De Angelis 1Max-Planck-Institut für Physik (Werner-Heisenberg-Institut), Föhringer Ring 6, München, Germany 2Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 208, Udine, Italy 3INFN and INAF, Trieste, Italy 4LIP/IST, Lisboa, Portugal
Received: 24 Nov 2010 – Revised: 21 Jan 2011 – Accepted: 25 Jan 2011 – Published: 27 Jun 2011
Abstract. High-energy photons are a powerful probe for astrophysics and for fundamental physics
under extreme conditions. During the recent years, our knowledge of the most violent
phenomena in the universe has impressively progressed thanks to the advent of new detectors
for very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays (above 100 GeV). Ground-based detectors
like the Cherenkov telescopes (H.E.S.S., MAGIC and VERITAS) recently discovered
more than 80 new sources. This talk reviews the present status of VHE gamma astrophysics, with emphasis on the recent results and on the experimental
developments, keeping an eye on the future. The impact on fundamental physics
and on cosmic-ray physics is emphasized.
Citation: De Angelis, A.: Recent results from VHE gamma astrophysics related to fundamental physics and cosmic rays, Astrophys. Space Sci. Trans., 7, 217-224, doi:10.5194/astra-7-217-2011, 2011.