Detecting faint traces of universe's explosive birth is aim of NSF-supported Advanced Simons Observatory
![An observatory at night against a background of the Milky Way.](/news/mmg/media/images/Simons Observatory Chile night stars 16x9_f.jpg)
The Simons Observatory investigates the cosmic microwave background radiation.
May 10, 2023
The enhanced observatory will be used to analyze previously undetectable traces of background radiation created billions of years ago during the Big Bang.
A remote, high-altitude astronomy observatory will conduct the most detailed investigation yet of the universe's origins, with upgrades provided by a $52.7 million investment from the U.S. National Science Foundation. In partnership with the Simons Foundation, the NSF grant will expand the Simons Observatory in the high Atacama Desert of Chile to become the Advanced Simons Observatory. NSF's grant will be administered by the University of Pennsylvania and will fund 30,000 additional radio frequency detectors, a new data pipeline and a sustainable, solar energy-based electrical system.
Read the full announcement on new.nsf.gov
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