Pierre Auger Observatory

Anticipated Benefits to Southeast Colorado

SEE ALSO

Auger Tank Center
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Economic
  • Infusion of a $120 million project into Southeastern Colorado
  • Creation of 12-20 permanent jobs affiliated with the project
  • Potential manufacturing jobs related to tanks, i.e., liner and tank manufacturing, water distillation, wiring and electronic components
  • Visitors center, located on the LCC campus, reverts back to college at end of lease
  • Opportunities to create new businesses/profit centers to profit from project-related traffic to Southeast Colorado
  • Indirect jobs in the service sector

Tourism
  • One of two such observatories in the world, making it a tourist attraction

Educational
  • Location of a “world-class” physics laboratory in Southeast Colorado
  • Possibility of securing a Title III grant to create a signature science program
  • Increased collaboration with Colorado State University and Colorado School of Mines
  • Connections with physicists and other institutions
  • Exposure to or training in high-tech scientific research
  • Various workshops for students and teachers provided by Cosmic Ray Observatory Project (CROP), through a $1.34 million grant from the National Science Foundation Teacher Enhancement Program
  • Frequent courses for local students and teachers by project scientists by Auger sponsors

Intellectual
  • Collaboration of more than 400 physicists from 70 institutions in 17 countries in creating project

Cultural
  • Possible student/teacher exchange with Argentina
  • Opportunity to create sister city relationship with Malargue, Argentina
  • Opportunity to expand courses in “English as a Second Language”