The trigger system of the MAGIC telescope

The MAGIC telescope aims at the detection of very low energy gamma rays (E > 30 GeV) through the atmospheric emission of Cherenkov light. The high background rate originating from the night sky background, muons, hadronic showers and bright stars sets a serious challenge to this goal. Application of topological selection cuts at trigger level can have a big impact on background reduction allowing the telescope to operate at lower thresholds and reducing the minimum detectable energy. The trigger of the MAGIC telescope is a two-level system following a pipeline philosophy, similar to those adopted in high energy physics experiments. Operative since October 2002, the trigger system has been a key point in the commissioning of the MAGIC telescope that is now taking data. The trigger hardware is described in detail.