Status of the Himalayan Gamma-Ray Observatory (HIGRO) and observation with HAGAR at very high energies

Abstract

High Altitude GAmma Ray (HAGAR) telescope array, which is the first stage of HImalayan Gamma Ray Observatory (HIGRO), has been successfully installed at Hanle in Himalayas and has been collecting science data since September, 2008. In last three years, we have observed several sources including Galactic objects like Crab Nebula, Geminga, LSI+61 303 and some of the Fermi detected pulsars as well as extragalactic objects including Mkn 421, Mkn 501, 1ES2344+514, 3C454.3 etc. Analysis of data on all these sources is underway. Preliminary results include detection of Crab Nebula and Mkn 421 during its flare in February, 2010. Upper limits are given for several pulsars. In the second phase of HIGRO, Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE), a 21 m-imaging telescope, will be installed at Hanle, next to HAGAR.