On 10 November, the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) began a major two-day celebration at its headquarters in Malargüe, Argentina, to mark the progress of the observatory and the presentation of the first physics results at the International Cosmic Ray Conference in the summer 2005. One of several experiments connecting particle astrophysics and accelerator-based physics, the PAO studies extensive air showers created by primary cosmic rays with energies greater than 1018 eV. With more than 1000 of the 1600 surface detectors and 18 of the 24 fluorescence detectors currently installed and operating, the observatory will eventually cover 3000 km2 of the expansive Pampa Amarilla.
Over 175 visitors from the 15 collaborating countries attended the celebration, with guests including heads of collaborating institutions, representatives from supporting funding agencies, delegates from Argentinian embassies, local and provincial authorities, plus press and media teams. On the first day, experiment heads Jim Cronin, Alan Watson and Paul Mantsch presented the history and status of the observatory to the assembled visitors in Malargüe’s Convention Center. This was followed by a ceremony on the Auger campus to unveil a commemorative monument made of glass and stone. Ceremony speakers included Malargüe’s mayor and the governor of Mendoza Province. Guests then retired to a traditional asado that featured local cuisine and entertainment by folk musicians and tango dancers. On the second day, attendees toured the vast observatory site, including surface detectors on the pampa and one of the remote fluorescence detector buildings.
As part of the celebration, the collaboration sponsored a science fair in the observatory’s Assembly Building, organized by four local science teachers for teachers and students from high schools in Mendoza Province. Twenty-nine school groups, many travelling long distances to reach Malargüe, presented research projects on topics in physics, chemistry or technology. A team of PAO physicists judged the displays and awarded prizes to the most outstanding young scientists. In March 2006, the opening of a new high school in Malargüe is anticipated, partial funding for which was secured by Cronin from the Grainger Foundation in the US.
