Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy began as a quest to solve one of the greatest puzzles in astrophysics: what are the accelerators of high-energy cosmic rays?  These studies began in the early 1960s, but only recently have VHE gamma rays been detected with high statistical significance.  This advance was achieved using the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique pioneered by the Whipple Collaboration.  This technique and how it is used to discriminate gamma ray events from a seemingly overwhelming cosmic ray background will be presented.

Highlights of observations made with the Whipple 10 m imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope operated by the VERITAS Collaboration (until recently, the Whipple Collaboration) will be discussed.  A summary of very high-energy gamma-ray sources and their emission mechanisms will be presented.  Finally I will discuss the future of very high-energy gamma ray astronomy and the development of the Very Energetic Radiation Telescope Array System (VERITAS).

* Dr. Hall received his BS degree in Physics from ASU in 1994 and his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2000. After his postdoctoral work at Iowa State University, Dr. Hall jointed the physics faculty at UALR as an assistant professor in 2001.