FACT — STATUS AND FIRST RESULTS

Authors

  • Daniela Dorner Universität Würzburg, Germany Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • A. Biland Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • T. Bretz Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • J. Buss Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • S. Einecke Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • D. Eisenacher Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • D. Hildebrand ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • M. L. Knoetig ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • T. Krähenbühl ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • W. Lustermann ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • K. Mannheim Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • K. Meier Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • D. Neise Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • A.-K. Overkemping Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • A. Paravac Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • F. Pauss ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • W. Rhode Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • M. Ribordy EPF Lausanne, Switzerland — Laboratory for High Energy Physics, 1015 Lausanne
  • T. Steinbring Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg
  • F. Temme Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • J. Thaele Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany — Experimental Physics 5, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4, 44221 Dortmund
  • P. Vogler ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • R. Walter University of Geneva, Switzerland — ISDC Data Center for Astrophysics, Chemin d’Ecogia 16, 1290 Versoix
  • Q. Weitzel ETH Zurich, Switzerland — Institute for Particle Physics, Schafmattstr. 20, 8093 Zurich
  • M. Zänglein Universität Würzburg, Germany — Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, 97074 Würzburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2014.54.0173

Abstract

FACT is the first imaging Cherenkov telescope based on a camera using solid state photosensors (Geigermode Avalanche Photodiodes G-APD aka SiPM). Since October 2011, it has been taking data regularly. Apart from commissioning and calibration measurements, it has already started regular operation, where the main goal is to do long-term monitoring of bright TeV blazars. In June 2012, a flare of Mrk 501 was observed. Thanks to the robustness of the G-APDs, observations can be carried out during strong moon light without aging of the sensors. This improves the duty cycle of the instrument and provides better statistics for long-term light curves. The telescope, situated on the Canary Island of La Palma, is operated, already now, remotely from central Europe. For the future, robotic operation is planned. We report on our experiences during the commissioning, and we present first results from the first 1.5 years of observations.

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Published

2014-06-27

How to Cite

Dorner, D., Biland, A., Bretz, T., Buss, J., Einecke, S., Eisenacher, D., Hildebrand, D., Knoetig, M. L., Krähenbühl, T., Lustermann, W., Mannheim, K., Meier, K., Neise, D., Overkemping, A.-K., Paravac, A., Pauss, F., Rhode, W., Ribordy, M., Steinbring, T., Temme, F., Thaele, J., Vogler, P., Walter, R., Weitzel, Q., & Zänglein, M. (2014). FACT — STATUS AND FIRST RESULTS. Acta Polytechnica, 54(3), 173–176. https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2014.54.0173

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles