Read online  I  unsubscribe 

Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge. While the facts are paramount for scientists and researchers involved with the Einstein Telescope, it has inspired writer and philosopher Govert Derix to adopt a fictional approach to the telescope. The result is a novel entitled ‘Love in the Light of the Einstein Telescope’. 

How is the Einstein Telescope project progressing? This is a question we get more and more often. It’s only logical, because there’s a lot going on. In this column, project manager Theo Reinders takes you through where we are now. Spoiler: we don’t know everything yet. The results we’re collecting now – below and above ground – are still only intermediate results, but they’re important for us to base the next steps on. Find out how everything depends on everything else.

In a field where women are still often in the minority, Paula Beger, Anouk Schmid and Carine van Hove are working on the final piece of the Einstein Telescope bid: the bid book. This document must be ready by the end of 2026 to convince decision-makers at government level in European countries of the strength, potential and future-proofing of our location. How are they tackling this challenge? Bid book manager Paula explains.

Behind the beautiful Beusdael Castle near Sippenaeken in the municipality of Plombières, the first deep drilling of the second drilling campaign is currently underway. This can be seen in the photo to the right of the castle. Following last year's eleven drillings, five drillings are planned for this second series. Preparations for the second drilling in this series have recently begun. It will take place in Julémont in the municipality of Herve. The locations of the other drillings are still to be determined. Analyses of the drillings and seismic surveys will ultimately provide a good insight into the composition and quality of the deeper soil layers.

In 1916, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves, but doubted they could ever really be observed. According to him, they would be so weak as to be practically impossible to measure. It wasn’t until almost a century later, in 2015, that the opposite was proven: with the first direct measurement, aLIGO in the US showed that these ripples in space-time, although incredibly small, do exist and are measurable. The Einstein Telescope will take this one step further. The telescope will be able to measure several gravity waves daily. With each measurement, we show that even a genius like Einstein was sometimes wrong and that his doubts were unwarranted.

How do you power a gravitational wave detector at a depth of 200 to 300 metres with renewable energy? The Flemish consortium EnergyVille is currently conducting extensive research on this subject. In four work packages, it’s looking at everything from energy production to distribution and storage. Professor Bart Vermang explains how this energy plan fits within the sustainability ambitions of the Einstein Telescope project, and why this is important for the bid book in 2026.

→ Read the interview

During the first international Industry Webinar, it became clear that the Einstein Telescope already offers opportunities for technology companies that want to contribute to this groundbreaking project. Various showcases demonstrated how companies are actively contributing to the technological development of the Einstein Telescope.

→ Read more

No fewer than 50 participants from six Dutch ET consortia shared their knowledge, progress and ideas during a meeting organised by LIOF. Engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers found inspiration in each other.

→ Read more

Our Flemish partner, the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), recently attended the Nerdland Festival to promote the Einstein Telescope.

Enjoy the aftermovie to relive the experience!

Maastricht University is launching MaGIC, a summer school for teachers that helps them incorporate gravitational waves and the Einstein Telescope into their lessons in an inspiring way. The initiative was launched by associate professor Gideon Koekoek.

→ Read more

The information evening about the Einstein Telescope in Plombières recently attracted a lot of interest: 1,444 viewers via the live stream and a full auditorium. Speakers from the project office, Hasselt University and the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, among others, provided explanations about the project.

Als follow Einstein Telescope on:

 Colophon

This newsletter is a publication of Einstein Telescope - Euregio Meuse-Rhine
Editors: Nicole Vijgen, Gieljan de Vries and Henk Schroen

Photo's: Jonathan Vos en Aron Nijs | Video: Submedia
Comments? Mail to: info@et-emr.eu

This e-mail has been sent to %%emailaddress%%. 
If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, you can unsubscribe here. 

Privacy statement

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here.