The LST Collaboration Publishes the LST-1 Performance Paper
On 14 July 2023, the performance paper of the LST-1 was accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (ApJ).
The “Strategic Plan for European Astronomy” Ranks the CTAO as Highest Priority in Ground-based Astronomy
The recently-released ASTRONET “Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap 2022-2035” includes the CTAO as the top-ranked priority amongst new ground-based infrastructure projects. The strategic plan highlights the CTAO as the future leader in the field to unravel the origins and production of non-thermal particles in the Universe.
The LST Collaboration Publishes its first Scientific Paper with Data from the LST-1
On March 6, the LST Collaboration published its first scientific paper in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A), focused on a multi-wavelength study of the unidentified ultra-high-energy gamma-ray source known as LHAASO J2108+5157, and using data from the LST-1.
The Swiss Scientific Community Gathers to Discuss the Contributions and Scientific Goals of the CTAO
From 14-15 December 2022, members of the CTAC and CTAO gathered in Zürich (Switzerland) to hold the “Swiss CTA Days.” The event, hosted by the University of Zürich, focused on the Swiss scientific community’s current and future activities to support the technological and scientific development of the CTAO.
CTAO Releases the Layout of its Arrays for the Alpha Configuration
The CTAO released the final layouts that define the geographical position of the elements (telescopes, calibration systems and atmospheric characterization devices) that will compose the two CTAO arrays according to the approved Alpha Configuration. The particular configuration is the result of a thorough optimization process meant to maximize the scientific performance of the two CTAO arrays.
The CTAO Science Data Management Centre Lays “First Stone”
On Wednesday, 2 March 2022, the first stone-laying ceremony for the CTAO Science Data Management Centre (SDMC) took place at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) campus in Zeuthen, Brandenburg (Germany). To celebrate this milestone, Brandenburg’s Science Minister, Manja Schüle, and Head of the Sub-Department Large-Scale Facilities and Basic Research at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Volkmar Dietz, participated in the ceremony on campus, together with the Managing Director of the CTAO gGmbH, Federico Ferrini and DESY Director-General, Helmut Dosch.
Gammapy Receives the Jury Prize at the Open Science Awards for Open-Source Research Software
On 5 February 2022, the open-source Gammapy software package, on which the official CTAO’s science analysis tools are based, was awarded by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation with the Jury Prize during the first Open Science Awards for Open-Source Research Software for its technical quality, available documentation and leadership within the community.
The Multiple Synergies with CTAO
Multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observations are increasingly becoming the norm in astronomy, and will be a central part of the CTAO observational program and strategy, essential for the achievement of its many science goals.
November 2021 CTA Consortium Meeting Wrap-up
For its biannual meeting the CTA Consortium gathered virtually for the fourth time in a row between November 22 and December 2. This is a summary of the major news from the meeting, which includes the election of Vitor de Souza as the new chair of the Consortium Board.
CTAO Adopts the Gammapy Software Package for Science Analysis
On 1 June 2021, the CTA Observatory (CTAO) announced that it is adopting the Gammapy package as the Science Analysis Tools for the Observatory. The CTA Science Analysis Tools is a software package for the scientific analysis of CTA data. It is one of the core products that the CTA Observatory will provide to the world-wide science community during the lifetime of the observatory.