Very High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy

High energy gamma-ray photons are the prime probes of the relativistic or high-energy universe, populated by black holes, neutron stars, supernovae and quasars and matter-antimatter annihilations. Through studying the gamma-ray sky astrophysics are able to better understand the formation and behaviour of these exotic and energetic bodies. The monograph summarises the status of gamma-ray astronomy at energies between 30MeV at a critical point in the development of the discipline - the hiatus between the demise of the EGRET telescope and the launch of the next generation of space telescopes. Starting with an overview of the astrophysics of the bodies that generate high energy gamma rays it proceeds to dicuss the developments in observational techniques and equipment. Gamma rays of the highest energies are a challenge for the experimentalist to detect and the theoretician to explain. This book presents the techniques, observations and the theories of this expanding frontier.