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Detecting faint traces of universe's explosive birth is aim of NSF-supported Advanced Simons Observatory
![An observatory at night against a background of the Milky Way.](/news/mmg/media/images/Simons Observatory Chile night stars 16x9_f.jpg)
The Simons Observatory in the high Atacama Desert of Chile investigates the cosmic microwave background radiation, which permeates the universe and contains hidden clues about how the early universe evolved. NSF's support will expand the Simons Observatory to become the Advanced Simons Observatory and will fund 30 thousand additional radio frequency detectors, a new data pipeline, and a sustainable, solar energy-based electrical system.
Credit: Courtesy of Simons Foundation
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