Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy: General remarks

Summary The ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has its coming of age currently with 4 sources detected at high significance levels, after experiencing about 30 years history. The energetic gamma rays provide direct means for uncovering higher-energy non-thermal phenomena at various celestial objects. We need more data with improved sensitivities, and multitudes of such efforts are now under way. 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.