The CTAO school is designed to help young researchers develop the great diversity of skills necessary in their scientific career, from the preparation of a scientific proposal, data analysis and science discussion, operation of telescopes and dissemination of their results, among others.

​

The CTAO school will take place on the island of La Palma (Spain) at the CTAO Northern Site on the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and at the H10 La Tabernita Hotel in Los Cancajos.  During the first half of the school, students can acquire the mindset of an observational astrophysicists and understand the technological challenges and opportunities of the Cherenkov technique. 

 

Students will learn about:

• Learn about the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes or Technique (IACT).

• Perform observations with the LST-1 at the CTAO Northern Site and the MAGIC telescopes on the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.

• Visit the LST-1 facilities, as well as other international telescopes, including the optical instruments such as Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) and Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC), and CTAO’s predecessor, the MAGIC telescopes.

​

During the second half of the school, students will become familiar with research topics currently under study in Very High-Energy (VHE) Astrophysics, as well as with the most recent scientific news and results.

​

Time-domain astronomy aims at finding and characterizing highly variable sources, in doing so exploring the mechanisms behind this variability. This requires a coordinate effort with multiple facilities across the multi-wavelength spectrum and multi-messenger events, to regularly scan the whole sky, searching for transient phenomena, or to monitor for extended periods of time known highly variable targets.

Non-jetted astrophysics studies gamma-rays produced by the birth and death of stars and some of the longest running mysteries in physics such as the origin of cosmic-rays.  This requires deep observations and surveys of our Galaxy and galactic neighbors. Combining multi-wavelength and VHE data from these sources reveals the source of VHE emission and probes cosmic-ray population of our Galaxy. CTAO will provide new insights and allow theoreticians to produce a new generation of models.

CTAO will play an instrumental role in time-domain astronomy, with its unprecedented capability of detecting Very High Energy emission on short time-scales, matched with its effectiveness in promptly covering large portions of the sky.

​

With the scientific foundation set, students will also:

• Participate in hands-on sessions for data analysis, using the CTAO prototype science analysis tools, to get ready for the future CTAO data.

• Learn about best practices to write a successful scientific proposal.

• Present their own research to peers in a dedicated session that aims to foster discussion and synergies between students and instructors.

• Learn how to design a Cherenkov Telescope.

• Work hand in hand with the instructors on projects specific designed for the students and present their results at the end of school.