Australia opens new astronomy research center
14:15, 1 September 2009
CANBERRA. September 1. KAZINFORM A multi-million dollar astronomy research center opened in Western Australia (WA) on Tuesday, with backers hoping it would boost the nation's bid to secure the world's largest telescope, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
The International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is designed to underpin the country's campaign to build the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which could one day help unlock the secrets of the universe.
Funded primarily by Curtin University and the University of Western Australia, the 100 million Australian dollars (84 million U.S. dollars) center hopes to attract astronomy experts to Perth.
WA Premier Colin Barnett said the ICRAR would show Australia and the state were capable of delivering world-class technology and facilities, Kazinform cites Xinhua.
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