Abstract
Very-high energy (VHE; E ⪆ 100 GeV) γ-rays provide a unique probe for non non-thermal processes in the universe. The ground-based Imaging Air Cherenkov Technique for detecting VHE γ-rays has matured, and a fast assembly of inexpensive and robust telescopes is possible. The goal for the next generation of instruments is to increase their sensitivity by a factor ≳ 10 compared to current facilities, to extend the accessible γ-ray energies from a few tens of GeV to a hundred TeV, and to improve on other parameters like angular and energy resolution. I discuss the key physics goals and resulting design considerations for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), a project for a new generation of highly automated telescopes for γ-ray astronomy. The technical solutions chosen for CTA and the status of the project are discussed.
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