Collaborative Research: Identifying and Evaluating Sites for Cosmic Explorer

合作研究：识别和评估宇宙探索者的地点

• 批准号: 2308985
• 负责人: Joshua Smith
• 金额: $ 90.47万
• 依托单位: CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-15 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2308985&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Identifying; Evaluating; Sites

A century after Einstein predicted gravitational waves, the NSF Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), followed by the Virgo Observatory, ignited the era of gravitational-wave astronomy with the first direct observations of gravitational waves from merging black holes and the observation of a binary neutron star merger, prompting subsequent observations in every band of the electromagnetic spectrum—a watershed event in the history of astronomy. Cosmic Explorer (CE), a concept for a next-generation gravitational-wave observatory in the United States, will push the reach of gravitational-wave astronomy to the edge of the observable universe, by using proven LIGO technology in a facility ten times larger than each LIGO observatory. CE will enable transformative discoveries across physics, astronomy, and cosmology, by observing black holes and neutron stars across cosmic time, probing the nature of the most extreme matter in the universe, and exploring questions in the nature of gravity and fundamental physics. This award supports research to identify and evaluate potential sites for CE, each necessarily substantially larger than LIGO’s sites. CE will do this while working in mutually beneficial, culturally supported partnerships with Indigenous and other local communities.This award supports the identification and evaluation of the most promising locations for CE observatories while developing protocols and best practices for large-scale projects to be in partnership with local and Indigenous communities. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and public data will be used to identify and vet locations and then establish partnerships through the Indigenous Partnership Program (IPP). At locations that are physically viable and where community permission is granted, an initial assessment will be conducted; this and continued community consultation will inform a down-selection of locations for in-depth reference assessment. CE has knowledge of and access to LIGO Hanford Observatory (LHO), where there are established protocols for partnering with local and Indigenous communities. The (broader) Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford area, on which LHO is located, will be the first location where the entire assessment process — from start to a thorough reference assessment — may be implemented. The combined location search and evaluation will constitute a prototype for the full approach, which can be used to continuously add promising CE locations in Phase 2 of conceptual design. These activities will implement an integrated, respectful framework for location evaluation, community consultation, and combined data- and community-driven understandings of facilities construction priorities. CE will enhance US scientific infrastructure, ensuring the US continues its leading role in gravitational-wave science while connecting science with society, especially in the context of Indigenous communities. These activities will create innovative, culturally supported pathways into STEM, support retention of members of historically excluded groups, prioritize the interests of Indigenous and local communities, and empower future leaders of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

A century after Einstein predicted gravitational waves, the NSF Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), followed by the Virgo Observatory, ignited the era of gravitational-wave astronomy with the first direct observations of gravitational waves from merge black holes and the observation of a binary neutral star merger, prompting subsequent observations in every band of the electromagnetic spectrum—a天文学史上的分水岭事件。宇宙探险家（CE）是美国下一代引力波观察的概念，它将通过在设施中使用证明的Ligo技术在每个Ligo观察大的范围内使用验证的Ligo技术，将引力波天文学的范围推向可观察到的宇宙的边缘。 CE将通过观察宇宙时间的黑洞和中子星，探测宇宙中最极端物质的性质，并以重力和基本物理学的性质探讨问题，从而实现跨物理，天文学和宇宙学的变革性发现。该奖项支持研究以识别和评估CE的潜在地点，每个奖项必然比Ligo的网站大得多。 CE将在与土著和其他当地社区的互惠互利，文化支持的伙伴关系中工作。该奖项支持对CE观察员最有前途的位置的识别和评估，同时为与当地和土著社区合作的大规模项目制定协议和最佳实践。地理信息系统（GIS）和公共数据将用于识别和兽医位置，然后通过土著合伙计划（IPP）建立伙伴关系。在物理上可行的地点且在获得社区许可的地方，将进行初步评估；这项和持续的社区咨询将为您的位置下调，以进行深入参考评估。 CE有了解和进入Ligo Hanford天文台（LHO）的知识，并有与当地和土著社区合作的既定协议。 LHO所在的（更广泛的）能源部（DOE）Hanford地区将是第一个可以实施整个评估过程（从开始到彻底参考评估）的第一个地点。合并的位置搜索和评估将为完整方法构建一个原型，该原型可用于在概念设计的第2阶段不断添加有希望的CE位置。这些活动将实施一个综合，尊重的框架，以进行位置评估，社区咨询以及对设施建设优先事项的数据和社区驱动的理解。 CE将增强美国科学基础设施，确保美国在重力波科学中继续领先的作用，同时将科学与社会联系起来，尤其是在土著社区的背景下。 These activities will create innovative, culturally supported pathways into STEM, support retention of members of historically excluded groups, prioritize the interests of Indigenous and local communities, and empower future leaders of a diversity, globally competitive STEM workforce.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's Intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.