The “Magnificent Seven” of European astroparticle physics unveiled to the world

On 29th September 2008 , Europeans presented to the world their strategy for the future of astroparticle physics. What is dark matter? What is the origin of cosmic rays? What is the role of violent cosmic processes? Can we detect gravitational waves? With seven types of major large-scale projects physicists want to find the answers to some of the most exciting questions about the Universe. The KVI is participating in two of these projects:

 

• KM3NeT, a cubic kilometre-scale neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea
• Auger North, a large array for the detection of charged cosmic rays.

 

To insure the coordination of astroparticle physics at the European level, research agencies from 13 countries joined their efforts within the ASPERA* European network, an ERA-Net funded by the European Commission. Thanks to the work achieved through ASPERA, European countries for the first time have a common tool to programme jointly and share their efforts in astroparticle physics.