“We already have very talented research staff in Australia who could work on the instruments. We have the experience to build one here in Australia,” he said.
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“We are already LIGO partners, but to be truly a key player in the future, we really need to have this detector in Australia and take a step to play that important role.”
Because detectors are so sensitive, measures need to be taken to reduce outside interference. In the case of the Japanese detector, it is built under a mountain to stop the geological unpredictability of the region.
Australia, which is geologically very stable compared to other parts of the world, fits perfectly in this regard, but Scott said it was another highlight of our geography that also made Australia an ideal place for a new detector. .
“All gravitational detectors are currently in the northern hemisphere, and obviously we would get a much better location where the waves in the universe come from if there was one down here,” he said.
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“So we’re a great place to have one to complete the international network.”
Building a third-generation gravitational detector would cost around $ 200 million, which Scott argues is not a huge amount in the scheme of things, especially when at least part of the cost could be shared by international research.
Meanwhile, Scott herself continues her research on the nature of the universe, looking for gravitational waves produced by neutron stars.
She says she has been very honored by her recent election to ISGRG and wants to use her position to promote the fantastic science that is done in Australia in all fields of knowledge, as well as inspire the next generation to pursue a career in STEM.
“We are increasingly seen as a scientific nation, and I believe the future of Australia lies in increasing young people’s paths to STEM,” he said.
“I think that in my career I have had to break several glass ceilings, and I hope to be a role model because all young people, but especially girls, are thinking of entering the fields of science, because now there really is a way for them “.