Ground-breaking images of space, unlocking the secrets of 7^th century Ireland, and the country’s first underground seismic station

The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is reflecting on a successful year for the organisation, which included a number of significant discoveries and collaborations for its researchers.

DIAS carries out work across four key areas, including Astrophysics, Geophysics, Theoretical Physics and Celtic Studies. During 2022, it has contributed to and led Ireland’s involvement in some of the most significant break-throughs and discoveries in these research fields.

Commenting today, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS said: “This past year has been a very significant time for us at DIAS. From collaborating on ground-breaking international projects such as the James Webb Space Telescope, to installing Ireland’s first ever underground seismic station – DIAS researchers have played a central role in contributing to important Irish, and indeed global discoveries.”

Some of DIAS’s most significant achievements from 2022 included:

• James Webb Space Telescope: Professor Tom Ray and Dr. Patrick Kavanagh from DIAS played a key role in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built. In July 2022, the first full-colour images from the telescope were released. The observations collected from this telescope will help piece together how the first galaxies evolved and how and where stars and planets form.
• First underground seismic station installed: As part of a joint project, DIAS and the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) installed Ireland’s first underground seismic station, at Mitchelstown Cave. The station allows for earthquakes from around the world as well as those closer to home to be detected and analysed. The new underground location was chosen for the facility as it is insulated from noise such as wind, rain and road traffic. 24 earthquakes were detected and reported by the INSN in and near Ireland this year.
• Hundreds of ancient Irish manuscripts digitised: Newly digitisedIrish manuscripts dating as far back as the 7^th century, including Saint Colmcille’s ‘The Cathach’ and ‘The Book of Ballymote’, were made available by the School of Celtic Studies, through the launch of their new, enhanced Irish Script on Screen (ISOS) portal this year. The purpose of ISOS is to create digital images of Irish manuscripts and to make these accessible to people all over the world via the internet. It is one of the longest running manuscript digitisation projects in Europe.
• Leading international experts come together for conference at DIAS: Global leaders in the field of theoretical physics were brought together for a conference at DIAs earlier this year. Hosted by the newly appointed Senior Professor of Theoretical Physics at DIAS, Professor Sergei Gukov, the conference explored the relationship between computer science and mathematics, including machine learning and knot theory. Experts included top international mathematician Louis Kauffman from University of Illinois, Chicago.
• Observation of cosmic explosion leading to ground-breaking discoveries: For the first time in international science, four DIAS scientists – Dr. Jonathan Mackey, Professor Felix Aharonian, Dr. Robert Brose and Dr. Davit Zargaryan – observed a cosmic explosion with unprecedented detail and witnessed particle acceleration outside of our solar system. As a result of the observation, the team discovered that the particle acceleration caused by the explosion in real time was several hundred times higher than previously observed in novae. The findings from the research will be key in helping scientists to understand how cosmic explosions work.

“2022 also marked the 75^th anniversary of the School of Cosmic Physics at DIAS.” Dr. Meehan added.   “Over the years, the School has played a leading role in strengthening our understanding of the world and cosmos around us – from its involvement in the first ever Irish experiment in space, to landmark insights on volcanoes. As the year draws to a close, and we reflect on the past twelve months, it’s exciting to see the impact the School continues to make in Ireland, and on a global stage.

“We are very proud of the achievements of our researchers across all three Schools at DIAS over the past year. As a world leader in advanced research, I look forward to what next year will bring, and what discoveries, collaborations and ideas are to come.”