Studies of the Influence of Moonlight on Observations with the MAGIC Telescope

Abstract

The ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique is currently the most powerful observation method for very high energy gamma rays. With its specially designed camera and readout system, the MAGIC Telescope is capable of observing also during nights with a comparatively high level of night-sky background light. This allows to extend the MAGIC duty cycle by 30% compared to dark-night observations without moon. Here we investigate the impact of increased background light on single-pixel level and show the performance of observations in the presence of moonlight conditions to be consistent with dark night observations.

Contribution to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 2009

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