WEIGHING THE GIANTS: USING GALAXY CLUSTERS TO UNDERSTAND DARK ENERGY

Grant number: DP200101068 | Funding period: 2020 - 2023

Completed

Abstract

This project seeks to reveal the nature of dark energy and thereby explain what is causing expansion of the Universe to accelerate. The project will develop new deep machine learning techniques to weigh galaxy clusters, and apply them to data from the SPT-3G experiment at the South Pole. By comparing theoretical predictions to the observed numbers and masses of galaxy clusters, the project will help determine whether the acceleration is due to dark energy or a breakdown in general relativity. The data science training received by students and researchers on the project will also contribute to a highly skilled STEM workforce for Australia.

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University of Melbourne Researchers