CTA: Scientific perspective and current status

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the major ground-based gamma-ray observatory planned for the next
decade and beyond. Consisting of two large atmospheric Cherenkov telescope arrays (one in the southern
hemisphere and one in the northern hemisphere), CTA will have superior energy and angular resolutions, a much
wider energy range, and up to an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity, as compared to existing
instruments. The CTA science program will be rich and diverse, covering the major aspects of cosmic particle
acceleration, understanding extreme astrophysical environments, and probing physics frontiers beyond the
Standard Model. This talk will outline the scientific persective for CTA and will cover the most recent status of the project.