The space gamma-ray observatory AGILE

Gamma-rays of cosmic origin are a manifestation of the roost energetic phen omena in our Universe. astrophysical sources emit gamma-rays including rela tivistic compact stars, massive black holes in active galactic nuclei, gamm a-ray burst sources, and our Sun during intense flares. The mission AGILE ( Astro-rivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero) is an innovative, cost effective gamma ray mission selected by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as first payl oad of the Program for Small Scientific Missions. It is designed to detect and image gamma-ray sources in the energy range 30 MeV-50 GeV and operate a s an Observatory open to the international community. Primary scientific go als include the study of AGN's, gamma ray bursts, Galactic sources, unident ified gamma ray sources, solar flares and diffusee gamma ray emission. AGIL E is planned to be operational during the years 2003-2005. It will an ideal 'bridge' between EGRET and GLAST, and support space observations and groun d based multiwavelength studies of high energy sources.