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ethrane / transients

Discussion for the Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Group (1.3)
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Gravitational-wave infrastructure for ground-based observatories #14

Open plasky opened 3 months ago

plasky commented 3 months ago

OzGrav2 is funded through to 2030, with major components of the CoE including instrumentation research and development for next-generation gravitational-wave observatories. Australia currently houses a high-powered optical test-facility in Gingin, WA, a mirror coating facility at ANU and other bespoke labs that build instruments for the current generation of observatories. NCRIS through AAL is investing in an initial scoping study to understand the science, strategy, and business case for an Australian next-generation observatory.

A key priority should be the expansion of existing facilities with a view to build an Australian gravitational-wave observatory pathfinder. Ultimately this could result in the further expansion to building a third-generation Australian observatory in the mid-to-late 2030s with significant international partnerships, in line with international calls for the development of a Southern Hemisphere observatory by the Gravitational-Wave International Committee. A Southern Hemisphere observatory would maximise multimessenger science through the longest possible baseline of observatories providing small sky-localisation uncertainties for gravitational-wave events.

demtravel commented 2 months ago

Paul wrote: “A key priority should be the expansion of existing facilities…” I don’t think OzGWOP or OzGrav has endorsed this. Development of a pathfinder I support. However as an expansion of an existing facility or other options needs to be properly discussed.

plasky commented 2 months ago

Agree with David here. My wording on that sentence was sloppy, and should be more nuanced in any final submission to the NCA

ejhowell commented 1 month ago

I would lean towards "would maximise multimessenger science ..." -> "would maximise multimessenger discovery..." - its a subtle change but more emphasises the impact these type of events can have. It would be nice to also consider "international calls" -> "international demand" as this is vitally important for the success of an increasing number of proposed international space and ground facilities

kwwette commented 1 month ago

Does this also include major Australian contributions to international detectors, e.g. the idea of contributing a major subsystem to A#? Or will that come under a different issue?

Also, minor correction: "OzGrav2 is funded through to 2031 ..."