VHE gamma-ray sources and implications

Summary This paper highlights the status of very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysical significance of the discovery of TeV γ-radiation from four celestial objects, Crab Nebula, PSR B1706-44, Mrk 421 and Mrk 501, detected at very high confidence levels using the atmospheric Cherenkov imaging technique. Paper presented at the Special Session on ground-based gamma-ray astronomy of the XXIV International Cosmic-Ray Conference, Rome, August 28–September 8, 1995.