Bulletin of the AAS (BAAS), volume 40, number 1, 2008 (26.25)

The VERITAS atmospheric Cherenkov telescope array detected gamma-ray emission above 250GeV from M87 in Spring 2007 and reported a clear year-scale correlation between gamma-ray and X-ray emissions measured by TeV experiments and the ASM/RXTE observatory. For Spring 2008, a long-term monitoring study of M87 is coordinated between H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and VERITAS, with X-ray observations by Chandra. The proximity of M87 provides a unique opportunity to carry out multiwavelength observations to study in detail the source and the mechanisms of high-energy emission from Active Galactic Nuclei. We will present preliminary results obtained with VERITAS from this ongoing campaign.

Bulletin of the AAS (BAAS), volume 40, number 1, 2008 (36.02)

VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) is a major, newly-comissioned observatory for gamma-ray astronomy in the 100 GeV - 50 TeV energy band. The observatory, located on Mt. Hopkins, AZ, consists of four 12m-diameter telescopes that detect very high-energy gamma rays via the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique. VERITAS became fully operational in Spring 2007 and has embarked on a broad program of observations of galactic and extragalactic sources of interest, particularly pulsar nebulae, SNRs, X-ray binaries, AGN, and GRBs. In addition, VERITAS is carrying out sensitive studies of signatures for new physics, such as dark matter annihilations. This talk will outline the main characteristics and performance attributes of VERITAS and will summarize the major results from the observatory in the last six months. VERITAS is operated by a collaboration of scientists from institutions in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. Funding is provided by the NSF, DOE, and Smithsonian Institution in the U.S., NSERC in Canada, PPARC in the U.K. and National Science Foundation Ireland.

Bulletin of the AAS (BAAS), volume 40, number 1, 2008 (41.01)

Since September 2005, the Whipple 10 m Gamma-ray Telescope has been used primarily to monitor known TeV AGN. The five Northern Hemisphere blazars that have been previously detected at Whipple, Markarian 421, H1426+428, Markarian 501, 1ES 1959+650 and 1ES 2344+514, are monitored each night that they are visible.

To encourage and co-ordinate observations of these AGN at other wavelengths, the observing timetable and preliminary light curves for the TeV observations are provided on a publicly accessible website: http://veritas.sao.arizona.edu/content/blogsection/6/40

A number of multiwavelength observing campaigns have been undertaken by numerous collaborators in conjunction with the Whipple program and a significant amount of data has been accumulated. We report here on the status of these multiwavelength observations and present light curves of radio, optical, X-ray and gamma-ray data.

Bulletin of the AAS (BAAS), volume 40, number 1, 2008 (20.05)

The TeV blazar, 1ES 2344+514, has been detected by VERITAS, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System. It was observed between October 2007 and January 2008, during which time it underwent flaring activity. We report here on the lightcurve and spectrum of 1ES 2344+514.