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C.E. Covault, M.C. Chantell, Z. Conner, M. Dragovan, S. Oser, R.A. Ong, R.A. Scalzo (EFI, Univ. Chicago), D. Bhattacharya, T.O. Tumer, J.A. Zweerink (IGPP, UCR), L. Boone, D.A. Williams (SCIPP, UCSC), D.T. Gregorich (Dept. Physics \& Astron. Cal State Univ., LA), D.S. Hanna, K. Ragan, C.G. Theoret (Dept. Physics, McGill Univ.), R. Mukherjee (Dept. Physics \& Astron., Barnard College \& Columbia Univ.)
The Solar Tower Atmopheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE) is a new instrument for observing astrophysical sources of gamma-rays in the energy range from 50 to 250 GeV. This energy range corresponds to an ``unopened window," inaccessible to previous ground and space-based experiments. STACEE is located in at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. STACEE uses several large heliostat mirrors at night to collect Cherenkov light from gamma-ray air showers. The first phase of STACEE, using 32 large heliostat mirrors, was completed in the fall of 1998. We describe the performance of STACEE during the 1998-1999 winter observing season. We also describe analysis in progress of several preliminary observations including the Crab nebula and pulsar, supernova remnants, and extra-galactic sources, such as blazars. Construction to expand STACEE is continuing, and we expect the next phase using 64 heliostat mirrors to be completed by the end of 1999.
If the author provided an email address or URL for general inquiries, it is a
s follows:
http://hep.uchicago.edu/~stacee