Page name or Wikidata label
Alternative namesEGO Edit this on Wikidata
LocationCascina, Province of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Coordinates43°37′53″N 10°30′07″E / 43.631494°N 10.501847°E / 43.631494; 10.501847
Websitewww.ego-gw.it
Telescopes
European Gravitational Observatory is located in Italy
European Gravitational Observatory
Location of Page name or Wikidata label

The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) or Virgo Collaboration[1] is a consortium established to manage the Virgo interferometer and its related infrastructure, as well as to promote cooperation in the field of gravitational wave research in Europe. It was founded December 11, 2000, by the French CNRS and Italian INFN, and is headquartered near Pisa, in the commune of Cascina.[2]

Overview

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EGO is established under Italian law.[3] Its governing body is a council composed of appointees nominated by the consortium members (up to three councilors per member).[4] The Council appoints a Director who is the legal representative and chief executive of EGO.[5]

A scientific advisory committee advises the council on scientific and technical activities carried out by the consortium. It is composed of up to ten scientific personalities.[6]

EGO pursues these main objectives:[7]

Membership

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The two founding members are the French CNRS and Italian INFN. The Dutch Nikhef joined as an observer in 2007 and a full member in early 2021.[2]

Budget

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EGO has an annual budget of €9 million split evenly between the French CNRS and Italian INFN. It also receives contributions in kind from the Dutch NIKHEF.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Virgo (homepage)".
  2. ^ a b "Our mission". www.ego-gw.it. European Gravitational Observatory. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  3. ^ ESTABLISHMENT, NAME AND HEADQUARTERS (PDF) (Constituent Act, 1). June 10, 2020.
  4. ^ THE COUNCIL (PDF) (Constituent Act, 13). June 10, 2020.
  5. ^ RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL (PDF) (Constituent Act, 14). June 10, 2020.
  6. ^ THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PDF) (Constituent Act, 17). June 10, 2020.
  7. ^ PURPOSE (PDF) (Constituent Act, 2). June 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Observatoire Européen Gravitationnel VIRGO / European Gravitational Observatory VIRGO-EGO-Virgo". Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2021-10-04.