The Simons Observatory investigates the cosmic microwave background radiation.

• Credit and Larger Version

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

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

 Get News Updates by Email 

Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov