1. VERITAS: Very High Energy γ-ray Astronomy
Located at F.L. Whipple Observatory
Stereoscopic array of 4 12-m Cherenkov tel.
Prototype constructed in 2003
First stereoscopic events (2 tel.) in 2006
Full-scale operations in 2007
SAO is managing organization
Operations funded by SAO, DOE & NSF
World’s most-sensitive VHE observatory
~100 GeV to ~30 TeV; Sensitivity = ~10-12 erg cm-1 s-1
Energy resolution 20%, Angular resolution ~0.1º
Upgrade complete in Summer 2012
~2x increase in sensitivity; 40% lower energy threshold
Plan to operate through at least 2017

2. VERITAS Science Overview
~100 scientists in VERITAS collaboration
22 institutions in 5 countries
~1/3 faculty, ~1/3 post-docs, ~1/3 students
42 refereed publications since 2007
~35 articles in preparation
31 PhD theses since 2006
4 major themes of science program
Particle Physics & Fundamental Laws
Cosmology
Black Holes
Galactic Tevatrons / Pevatrons
VERITAS Catalog: 40 sources, 6 classes
Planned Observation Program

3. Recent Science Highlights
Other highlights:
Segue 1 data rule out a dark-matter interpretation of ATIC / PAMELA result: Phys Rev D, , 2012
Key clues to mystery of cosmic-ray origin via VHE detection of M82: Nature, 462, 770, 2009
Numerous, rapid AGN flares: see, e.g., M87 event in Science, 325, 444, 2009
γ-ray Spectrum from the Crab Pulsar
Surprising detection of pulsed >100 GeV γ-ray emission from the Crab Nebula
Rules out exponential cutoff in γ-ray spectrum commonly assumed for pulsars; difficult to model
Science, 334, 69, 2011
Another VHE 1st: 3 sources in 1 Extragal. FoV