Grants and Contributions:

Analysis of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization Data from the Second Flight of the SPIDER Balloon-borne Telescope

18FATORB11

$200,000.00

Jan 21, 2019 - Mar 31, 2025

Exploring the nature of the universe at its earliest times is one of the most exciting scientific goals in cosmology today. SPIDER is a polarimeter designed to test our most fundamental theories of the beginning of the universe by measuring or constraining the amplitude of primordial gravitational waves. SPIDER is a set of six telescopes that observe the oldest light we can see, the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation. The second stratospheric balloon flight of SPIDER will take place as part of this project, to observe the Cosmic Microwave Background polarization at three wavelengths. It will be able to produce very high-sensitivity dust maps, allowing for much better removal of foreground dust and better imaging. An efficient suite of software tools will also be developed in order to analyze the raw data from the balloon payload. The data will allow for the testing of fundamental cosmology theories.

Canadian Space Agency

-Increased knowledge from research projects in priority space S&T areas (number of new and ongoing space science and technology initiatives and projects).
-Number of completed space science and technology initiatives (Announcement of Opportunity) and projects (number of highly qualified personnel (research team) involved in space science and technology initiatives and projects).
-Maintained and/or increased space focus in universities, post-secondary institutions, and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations (number of universities, post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations involved in financed projects).
-Partnerships established and/or sustained (number and type of new partnerships created and sustained, number of research partnerships (national and international)).
-Partners' contributions leveraged (number of agreements leveraged funding (proportion of leveraged funds vs. grant/contribution funds)
-Access to international collaboration for Canadian organizations (number of agreements leveraged by international funding)

Toronto, Ontario, CA M5S 1A1

003-2018-2019-Q4-04122

Grant

Grants and Contributions

Academia

The end date is amended to March 31, 2025.

Jan 14, 2025

Governing Council of the University of Toronto

Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.

The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.