The operation of Pierre Auger Observatory extended for another 10 years

The operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory has been extended for another ten years. The relevant agreement was signed on November 16, 2024, in Malargüe by Michael Prouza, the director of the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physics (FZU). The Czech side at the ceremonial meeting was represented by the Czech Ambassador to Argentina, Jarmila Povejšilová, her deputy Filip Kanda, and the head of the Research Infrastructures Department of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, Marek Vyšinka.

In her speech, the Czech Ambassador to Argentina praised the excellent results and participation of Czech scientists in the project, emphasizing that the Czech involvement in the project has become increasingly significant over the years. A major contribution to the observatory's equipment includes mirrors developed and manufactured at the Joint Laboratory of Optics for the fluorescence detectors, along with several other components of the observatory. Czech scientists are also intensively involved in operating the observatory and analyzing the resulting data. The collaboration, led by the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, includes Charles University and Palacký University from the Czech Republic.

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest cosmic ray detector in the world, covering an area of 3,000 km². More than 400 scientists from 17 countries participate in its operation and the analysis of scientific data. The observatory aims to study the most energetic particles in the universe, known as ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. The data obtained so far have changed our understanding of phenomena associated with the most energetic processes in the universe. Several scientific breakthroughs have been made, particularly in demonstrating a strong suppression of particle flux at the very highest energies.

Since 2022, the observatory has been undergoing extensive modernization. Each of the 1,660 surface detector stations has been upgraded with a scintillation detector, an antenna for radio cosmic ray detection, and new control and detection electronics. This has resulted in an expanded detector called Auger Prime, which will begin full operation next year.

In the photo from the ceremonial event, alongside Ambassador Jarmila Povejšilová and her deputy Filip Kanda, are JLO staff members Karel Černý and Pavel Horváth.

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