Milagro: A TeV observatory for gamma-ray bursts
Abstract
Observation of prompt TeV γ-rays from GRBs requires a new type of detector to overcome the low duty factor and small field of view of current TeV observatories. Milagro is such a new type of very high energy (> a few 100 GeV) gamma-ray observatory, which has a large field of view of >1 steradian and 24 hours/day operation. Milagrito, a prototype for Milagro, was operated from February 1997 to May 1998. During the summer of 1998, Milagrito was dismantled and Milagro was built. Both detectors use a 80 m×60 m×8 m pond of water in which a 3 m×3 m grid of photomultiplier tubes detects the Cherenkov light produced in the water by the relativistic particles in extensive air showers. Milagrito was smaller and had only one layer of photomultipliers, but allowed the technique to be tested. Milagrito observations of the Moon's shadow and Mrk 501 are consistent with the Monte Carlo prediction of the telescope's parameters, such as effective area and angular resolution. Milagro will have improved flux sensitivity over Milagrito due to larger effective area, better angular resolution and cosmic-ray background rejection. .
- Publication:
-
Gamma-ray Bursts, 5th Huntsville Symposium
- Pub Date:
- September 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1361635
- Bibcode:
- 2000AIPC..526..751D
- Keywords:
-
- 95.75.Fg;
- 95.85.Pw;
- 98.62.Nx;
- Spectroscopy and spectrophotometry;
- gamma-ray;
- Jets and bursts;
- galactic winds and fountains