Gamma-ray astrophysics with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will provide a leap forward for very-high-energy (VHE) astrophysics, with sensitivity between 20 GeV and 300 TeV. Construction will soon begin on the "Alpha Configuration", which consists of one array in Chile for southern sky observations and one in La Palma for northern sky observations. The Alpha Configuration will achieve up to an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity compared to today's instruments. The Astro 2020 Decadal Survey has recommended U.S. participation in CTA as part of its multi-messenger program, in particular through construction of 10 dual-mirror Schwarzschild-Couder Telescopes (SCTs), which would boost the sensitivity of the southern array. An international consortium of CTA members, led by the U.S., has constructed and operated a prototype SCT (pSCT) with a 9.7 meter primary mirror diameter. The pSCT has demonstrated the viability of the SCT concept, including an excellent measured optical point-spread function and detection of the Crab Nebula. The dual-mirror SCT design achieves excellent performance over the core energy range of CTA (100 GeV to 10 TeV). CTA will be the first open observatory in the VHE band, accepting proposals from any scientist from a country contributing financially to its construction and operation. This presentation will provide an overview of the scientific prospects for CTA in gamma-ray astronomy and multi-messenger astrophysics.