South Dakota Mines received a $6 million National Science
Foundation (NSF) grant to enhance big data processing and astronomical
capabilities of the world’s largest neutrino observatory, IceCube, located at the geographic South Pole.
The research will attempt to answer a fundamental question that has puzzled
scientists for more than a century regarding the origin of subatomic cosmic
particles that carry visible energy.
The
four-year project titled “RII Track-2 FEC: The IceCube EPSCoR
Initiative (IEI) - IceCube and the Data Revolution” brings together scientists from South
Dakota Mines, University of Alabama, University of Alaska Anchorage, University
of Delaware, University of Kansas and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The
team of researchers will work to solve challenges facing Multi-Messenger
Astronomy (MMA) – this new form of astronomy integrates the various types of
signals coming in from outer-space to paint the most-clear picture possible of
our universe. The project is funded through NSF EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research). EPSCoR’s
mission is to advance excellence in science and engineering research and
education in its jurisdictions.
“Astronomy
has enormous i...