Speaker
Description
Night Sky Background (NSB) is a complex phenomenon, consisting of all light detected by
imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes not attributable to Cherenkov light emission.
Understanding the effect of NSB on cameras for the next-generation Cherenkov Telescope
Array (CTA) is important, as it affects the astrophysical systematic errors on observations,
the energy threshold, the thermal control of the cameras and the ability of the telescopes to
operate under partial moonlight conditions. This capacity to observe under partial moonlight
conditions is crucial for the CTA transient science programme, as it substantially increases
the potential observing time. Using tools initially developed for H.E.S.S. (in combination with
the prototype CTA analysis package ctapipe) we will present predictions for the NSB present
in images taken by the CTA Small Sized Telescope Camera (SSTCAM), showing that
SSTCAM will likely be able to meet the associated CTA requirements. Additionally, we
calculate the potential observing time gain by operating under high NSB conditions.
