Arun Madhavan, Iowa State University
Gamma ray astrophysics is a unique field which uses detection and analysis techniques from high energy physics to obtain astronomical data. The particle astrophysics group at Iowa State is currently involved in the VERITAS experiment, a set of four atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes located in Amado, Arizona, which is designed to probe the night sky in the GeV-TeV gamma ray regime. In this talk I will discuss the physics of gamma ray induced air showers as well as the design of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. I will also describe the methods used to analyze VERITAS data, and present my results from this observing season.
