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Follow on Google News | NSF Awards Simons Array Project $5 Million to Study Origins of the UniverseLed by a team of scientists from UC San Diego, UC Berkeley and the University of Colorado, the Simons Array studies the early universe after the Big Bang
The new system is named for James and Marilyn Simons of the Simons Foundation, which provided the initial funding to build and install two telescopes to pair with the original POLARBEAR telescope. The three together make up the Simons Array. The NSF grant will support a team of scientists for three years of observations and data analysis. This includes graduate student stipends, undergraduate research scholarships, travel and other operational expenses. "People are the heart of any good experiment. We would not be able to design, fabricate, test and deploy the hardware of the Simons Array-not to mention travel to Chile to observe the distant universe-without the NSF funding," said Brian Keating, professor of physics at UC San Diego. Keating is leading the project with Adrian Lee, a UC Berkeley professor of physics. "This project, which will give astronomers an important new tool to peer back in time to our early universe, will enhance UC San Diego's reputation as a world leader in the field of astrophysics," Stationed at the University of California's James Ax Observatory in Chile, the Simons Array will create high-fidelity maps of polarization in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which scientists will then analyze for evidence of inflation after the Big Bang. The CMB is essentially remnant radiation from the Big Bang, which has cooled and stretched with the expansion of the universe to microwave lengths. The CMB acts as an enormous backlight, illuminating the large-scale structure of the universe and carrying an imprint of cosmic history. One of the challenges of mapping the CMB is the interference of dust in the galaxy, which emits polarized radiation similar to the CMB. The Simons Array is designed specifically to extract the faintest cosmological signal "hiding" underneath the dust emission by separating the two signals by their spectral signature. Each of the three high-resolution telescopes will be outfitted with cameras that can sense up to seven microwave wavelengths, or "colors," simultaneously. The resulting combination of unprecedented sensitivity and spectral information will make it possible to separate the inflationary signal from any contamination by galactic signals, such as dust. "The Simons Array represents the boldest, most ambitious and most sensitive instrument ever designed to fully 'mine' the cosmic microwave background of its secrets," said Keating. "With the Simons Array, we have a chance to glimpse the universe in its infancy." In addition to studying the early universe, the Simons Array will be the first to measure the masses of neutrinos, the only form of dark matter known to exist. These "ghostly" particles elude capture, making them difficult to study. The first new telescope of the Simons Array will be deployed late in 2015, and Keating and his team hope to get what astronomers call "first light" in early to mid-2016. Additional funding is still needed to support the operation of the project, including support for student researchers- ### Giving to UC San Diego The University of California, San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact. Our students, who learn from Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows and National Academy members, are committed to public service. For the fifth consecutive year, UC San Diego has been ranked first in the nation based on research, civic engagement and social mobility. We are thankful for visionary philanthropists who join us in our quest to transform lives, shape new disciplines and advance the frontiers of knowledge. Learn more at www.giving.ucsd.edu. End
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