The ET-Sunlab project (Einstein Telescope Sardinia Underground laboratory), recently presented, recently The future Research Center that will rise in the area of the Sos Enattos mine, a candidate to host the Einstein Telescope Observatory of gravitational waves (Et). The event, held in Lula (Nu), saw the participation of representatives of local and national institutions, as well as important research bodies.
The project, whose Architectural and landscape design has been developed by the University of Cagliari, provides for the creation of a reception center and new research laboratories, as well as a multidisciplinary underground laboratory. Sunlab will host research and development activities for et, Low noise physics experiments and a geophysical observatory for the study of the geodynamics of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the internal structures of the earth. The structure will also become a reference center for scientific dissemination and professional training.
The ET-Sunlab project is financed with around 10 million euros by the Sardinia Region and as many by Infn, Inif and Ingv, with the collaboration of the universities of Cagliari and Sassari. The start of construction works is scheduled for 2025, with completion by 2026.
The presentation event of Et-Sunlab has concluded a week of important appointments in Sardinia for the Einstein Telescope project, which saw the participation of institutions, research bodies and local businesses. The joint commitment of all the subjects involved testifies to the desire to create a cutting -edge research infrastructure, which will bring scientific, economic and social benefits to Sardinia and the entire international scientific community.
The event was opened by the greetings of the mayor of Lula, Mario Calia, and the president of the Sardinia Region, Alessandra Todde, followed by the interventions of the President of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (Infn), Antonio Zoccoli, of the Administrative Councilor of the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), Andrea Comastri, of the director of the Environment Department of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (Ingv), Massimo), Massimo) Chiappini, of the pro-report to research of the University of Cagliari, Luciano Colombo, of the Rector of the University of Sassari, Gavino Mariotti, and the director of the Consortium Garr, Claudia Battista.
«In recent years we have spoken in perspective, what we could have done, what the Einstein Telescope project for the territory could have mean. Today we find ourselves here in Lula to talk about concrete things, such as the creation of the Et-Sunlab Research Center, which, as a region, have co-financed with 10 million euros. Resources that are added to the 350 million that we have already allocated, available immediately, not in the near future», Comment on the president of the Sardinia Region Alessandra Todde. «With pleasure I emphasize the unit we are recording at all institutional levels in carrying out the candidacy of Sos Enattos. They are in constant contact with the minister of the University and research Anna Maria Bernini, all together we are putting body and soul to achieve the goal, beyond the individual political memberships».
«The Sunlab project is the first seed of the future great research infrastructure of Einstein Telescope, seed that we are all planting together in the Sardinian territory today», comments Antonio Zoccoli, president of the FN. «Sunlab will be a multidisciplinary center where research and university bodies will be able to make science in an environment with unique characteristics, where we can develop and test the frontier technologies necessary for Einstein Telescope and where scientific community and civil community will be able to meet, get to know each other and confront each other. We will work to make Sunlab a scientific avant -garde center, a place of participation and dialogue, an important first step to bring Sardinia to the center of Europe with Einstein Telescope», concludes Zoccoli.
«The National Institute of Astrophysics confirms its presence in Sardinia – where the RadioTelesceio SRT of San Basilio already operates – bringing some of its best technologies to the Sunlab, such as the adaptive optics for the precision control of the light of the stars», says Roberto Ragazzoni, president of INAF. «In addition, we will make the prototype of an innovative telescope, capable of simultaneously grasping the electromagnetic counterparties of gravitational waves simultaneously, confirming the effort of our institute in that new astronomy – called multi -member – which wants to scrutinize the cosmos using the most different and innovative machines that are conceivable today».
«The Ingv adheres with great enthusiasm to et contributing with their resources, staff and scientific competence», Massimo Chiappini, Director of the Environment Department of the Ingv underlines. «The institute’s contribution will be mainly oriented to the geophysical and environmental characterization of the area of interest of the site. In addition, the INGV has launched a great project, Earth Telescope, which will allow an ever better understanding of the phenomena that govern the complex dynamic of the Earth system and the Circumterrestre space».
«The project of the Sunlab Laboratory which is presented today is the result of a large and profound research and conceptualization work that the University of Cagliari has conducted thanks to its skills in architectural design. A concrete and effective example of the value that our university brings within the largest Einstein Telescope project», adds Luciano Colombo, pro-report to research the University of Cagliari.
«As a University of Sassari we feel strong the weight and expectations of this initiative. Et-Sunlb is not only a simple research center, but a real rebirth plan for Sardinians and Sardinia. The possibility of having Einstein Telescope in this territory in this area would coincide with a development not only scientific, but also territorial and economic. The University of Sassari is ready to respond to the call for this large collective company», The rector of the University of Sassari Gavino Mariotti concludes.