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First Light on VERITAS Telescope

The recently completed VERITAS Telescope-1 saw first light on February 1, 2005 with the detection of a signal from the Crab Nebula. The telescope, with its full complement of 350 mirror facets and a 499 pixel camera, has met all technical specifications. A two-dimensional image of the Crab is shown below along with some typical images and animations of gamma-ray and cosmic-ray air showers; the time slices are 2 ns apart. Telescope-1 will be operated at its temporary site at the Whipple Observatory Basecamp until February, 2006 when it will be moved to Horseshoe Canyon on Kitt Peak to join the other three VERITAS telescopes.