MTU Professor, Other Project Leaders Select Site for Southern Wide-Field Gamma-Ray Observatory

Michigan Technological University is a key contributor to construction planning for the Southern Wide-Field Gamma Ray Observatory (SWGO), a groundbreaking facility that will enable researchers to observe very-high- to ultra-high-energy gamma rays from cosmic sources. The project’s leadership, including Michigan Tech Professor of Physics Petra Huentemeyer, has selected Pampa La Bola in Chile as the future site of the observatory, which will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The SWGO project is supported by two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants totaling over $2 million: $860,003 awarded in 2020, and $1.15 million awarded in 2023. The grants highlight the critical support for U.S. researchers in advancing astrophysics.

Huentemeyer, who was recently honored with the Michigan Tech Research Award, serves as the co-spokesperson for SWGO. She has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the study of gamma rays and cosmic phenomena. 

“Selecting the site for an observatory is a major milestone on the path toward building it,” said Huentemeyer. “The fact that we reached a decision in such an effective manner really speaks to the strength of our collaboration of 15 countries. U.S. researchers play a significant role in moving the project forward thanks to continued NSF support for research and development of state of the art facilities in astrophysics. We are excited to take the next steps with our international partners to make SWGO a reality.”

Huentemeyer’s work at Michigan Tech has focused on unraveling the mysteries of the universe, particularly through the study of gamma rays, which are emitted by some of the most extreme and violent objects in space. Her research has not only advanced scientists’ understanding of these cosmic events, but has also positioned Michigan Tech as a leader in this cutting-edge scientific field. 

The SWGO observatory, designed to be located at an altitude of 4,770 meters in the Atacama Astronomical Park, will employ technology to detect gamma rays by capturing secondary particles produced when gamma rays interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. These detections will offer insights into some of the most extreme events in the universe, from black holes and neutron stars to supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. 

“Achieving this milestone is a testament to the hard work put in by the Collaboration members and the site representatives from Chile, Peru and Argentina,” said Pat Harding, research scientist at the New Mexico Consortium and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and SWGO Steering Committee National Representative from the USA. "We collected information on the science achievable at each site and costs, but also environmental stewardship and the positive effect we can have on the local community. I look forward to working with the Collaboration and our Chilean colleagues to make SWGO a premier international gamma-ray observatory.”

With significant U.S. involvement, including subawards to other research institutions, the SWGO project demonstrates the strength of international scientific collaboration. The SWGO Collaboration, composed of scientists from across the globe, expects to begin official efforts toward constructing the observatory by 2026, with gamma-ray observations projected to commence before the end of the decade.