Exploring the Most Energetic Universe with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

by Domenico della Volpe (UNIGE)

Wednesday 18 Mar 2026, 11:15 → 12:45 Europe/Zurich

Grand Auditoire (Ecole de physique)

The Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) represent the next major step in very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, with its  unprecedented combination of sensitivity, angular resolution, and energy coverage. By enabling detailed measurements of particle acceleration and radiation processes, CTAO will open a new observational window on the non-thermal Universe, from Galactic sources to the most distant active galaxies. Its fast response and wide-field capabilities will also allow systematic exploration of transient and variable phenomena, including gamma-ray bursts, flaring active galactic nuclei, and multi-messenger counterparts across cosmological distances. Through these advances, CTAO is expected to transform our understanding of extreme astrophysical environments and the role of high-energy processes in the deep, remote Universe. This talk will present the main design characteristics of the observatory, the current status of the project, and the first scientific results obtained with the Large-Sized Telescope (LST).