Very high energy gamma rays from the direction of Sagittarius A*

Abstract

H.E.S.S. - the High Energy Stereoscopic System- is a new system of large atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes for GeV/TeV astronomy. Each of the four telescopes of 107 m^2 mirror area is equipped with a 960-pixel photomulitiplier-tube camera. This paper describes the methods used to convert the photomultiplier signals into the quantities needed for Cherenkov image analysis. Two independent calibration techniques have been applied in parallel to provide an estimation of uncertainties. Results on the long-term stability of the H.E.S.S. cameras are also presented.