Clusters of galaxies have not yet been detected at gamma-ray frequencies; however, the recently launched Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, formerly known as GLAST, could provide the first detections in the near future. Clusters are expected to emit gamma rays as a result of (1) a population of high-energy primary and re-accelerated secondary cosmic rays fueled by structure formation and merger s...

TeV gamma rays emitted by GRBs are converted into electron-positron pairs via interactions with the extragalactic infrared radiation fields. In turn the pairs produced, whose trajectories are randomized by magnetic fields, will inverse Compton scatter off the cosmic microwave background photons. The beamed TeV gamma ray flux from GRBs is thus transformed into a GeV isotropic gamma ray flux, whi...

The all-sky surveys in γ-rays by the imaging Compton telescope (COMPTEL) and the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory for the first time allows detailed studies of the extragalactic diffuse emission at γ-ray energies greater 1 MeV. A preliminary analysis of COMPTEL data indicates a significant decrease in the level of the derived cosmic dif...

This paper reviews the field of gamma-ray astronomy and describes future experiments and prospects for advances in fundamental physics and high-energy astrophysics through gamma-ray measurements. We concentrate on recent progress in the understanding of active galaxies, and the use of these sources as probes of intergalactic space. We also describe prospects for future experiments in a number o...

Recent observations have shown that some compact stellar binaries radiate the highest energy light in the universe. The challenge has been to determine the nature of the compact object and whether the very high energy gamma-rays are ultimately powered by pulsar winds or relativistic jets. Multiwavelength observations have shown that one of the three gamma-ray binaries known so far, PSR B1259−63...

Early interpretations of the variability of the narrow 0.511 MeV annihilation line from the Galactic center (GC) were confused by the unrecognized presence of a very extended component (mid 70s | mid 80s). Transient behavior was suggested by comparisons of measurements made by instruments with comparable elds of view, and by detection of other lines which could be interpreted as broadened and D...

The window of TeV Gamma-Ray Astrophysics was opened less than two decades ago, when the Crab Nebula was detected for the first time. After several years of development, the technique used by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes like HESS, MAGIC or VERITAS, is now allowing to conduct sensitive observations in the TeV regime. Water Cherenkov instruments like Milagro are also providing the fir...

Gamma-ray photons from young pulsars allow the deepest insight into the properties and interactions of high-energy particles with magnetic and photon fields in a pulsar magnetosphere. Measurements with the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory have led to the detection of nearly ten γ-ray pulsars . Although quite a variety of individual signatures is found for these pulsars, some general characteristic...

1. Abstract GRBs have remained a puzzle for many high–energy astrophysicists since their discovery in 1967. With the advent of the X–ray satellites BeppoSAX and RossiXTE, it has been possible to carry out deep multi-wavelength observations of the counterparts associated with the GRBs just within a few hours of occurence, thanks to the observation of the fading X-ray emission that follows the mo...

The field of ground-based gamma ray astronomy has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years. As an increasing number of sources are detected at TeV energies, the field has matured and become a viable branch of modern astronomy. Lying at the uppermost end of the electromagnetic rainbow, TeV photons are always preciously few in number but carry essential information about the particle acceleration and...