SMWK: Saxony recommends itself as a location for Einstein telescope with Lusatian granite

On Thursday evening, leading scientists from the project and those involved in the preparations for the ET site selection process provided information about the largest large-scale research infrastructure in the field of astrophysics in Europe that has been planned for decades at the State of Bavaria’s Representation to the Federal Government in Berlin.

“The entire world of physics has long dreamed of building an Einstein telescope,” said Minister President Michael Kretschmer at the opening ceremony. “But the technology for this has been lacking until now. Now we are ready.” He advocates a science-led process to find the best location and the best concept. “This experiment will only happen once in the world because it is so expensive.”

The Free State of Bavaria is supporting the bid with the aim of positioning the region as a top international location for the Einstein Telescope and strengthening its role in the European research area.

Among the 200 or so guests were Italy’s Ambassador Fabrizio Bucci and the President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Alessandra Todde. The Mediterranean island and Saxony have been cooperating since January with the aim of closer scientific collaboration.

Prof. Christian Stegmann, scientific co-head of the feasibility study on the suitability of the Lusatian granite stock, which is being conducted by the Technical University of Dresden (TUD), Dr. Harald Lück, deputy spokesperson of the ET-Scientific-Collaboration, Prof. Heike Graßmann, State Secretary in the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism, the Managing Director of Silicon Saxony, Frank Bösenberg, and TUD Rector Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger provided information about the Lusatia region’s application as a location, the importance of the project for research, innovation and European cooperation, and the opportunities for the region.

“The Einstein Telescope stands for world-class research. This project brings top international scientists to Lusatia and puts the region permanently on the European research map,” said astroparticle physicist Christian Stegmann.

“The Lusatian granite offers exceptional stability and homogeneity,” explained geophysicist Prof. Andreas Rietbrock, head of the study alongside Stegmann. “These are ideal conditions for an underground observatory, the likes of which are rarely found anywhere else in the world.”

TUD Rector Staudinger referred to the strong university environment. “Saxony is the location for science and innovation, it always has been, said Staudinger. She referred to the excellence of Dresden University and the attraction of its now five clusters of excellence. “Scientists come to where they can do science best, where the conditions are like nowhere else in the world.” With new courses such as the international Master’s degree course in Astrophysics and Technological Methods, a further basis is being created to attract and develop talent for this field of research worldwide.

Frank Bösenberg from Silicon Saxony said with regard to the economic effects of science. The German and European chip industry is looking for new fields of application. There is great interest in the Einstein Telescope.

For Harald Lück, top scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and at Leibniz Universität Hannover, it is also of great importance for supra-regional development. Lück is considered one of the “fathers” of the Einstein Telescope and is internationally committed to its implementation.

Background: Einstein Telescope

The Einstein Telescope is intended to measure gravitational waves with unprecedented precision and thus provide crucial insights into the universe and the fundamentals of physics. With its international dimension, the project strengthens European cooperation. The Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR) with Belgium, the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia and Sardinia are also candidates in the upcoming application process for the construction of the underground observatory. The selection will be made at European level.

“If we succeed in bringing the Einstein Telescope to Lusatia, it would be the first major research infrastructure of European significance with global appeal to be located in the heart of Europe,” said Saxony’s Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow. “But I am convinced that a location decision for the Einstein Telescope can only be made on the basis of transparent scientific criteria. When comparing potential European sites, a decision needs to be made on the best overall package of scientific benefits, geological and seismic conditions and economically justifiable costs.”

The feasibility study on the geological, infrastructural and scientific conditions in the Granitstock region of Lusatia is being funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the STARK program. The area is one of the most seismically quiet regions in Europe and therefore offers excellent geological conditions for the Einstein Telescope, according to experts. A unique feature compared to the other candidates is the site’s design openness, where a triangular or double-L structure could be realized – in conjunction with Sardinia.

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Further links

👉 To the original announcement

👉 To the project website