About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the future of humanity.
The Frontiers of the Universe flagship initiative will advance the future of physics through a deep exploration of everything from miniscule subatomic particles to the largest galaxies and beyond: to the very existence of space, time, and life itself. It will also provide a command center for Israeli space missions such as ULTRASAT, a Weizmann-designed satellite that will scan the sky to identify celestial events in real time. By taking an intensive, inclusive approach to investigating the universe, this bold initiative will establish the Weizmann Institute as a preeminent global leader in discovery and exploration.
The Weizmann Institute is a physics powerhouse. Its theoretical physicists pioneer ways to make sense of the universe, including on the quantum level. Astrophysicists lead international collaborations in space observation and exploration and seek signs of life on other planets. Particle physicists use innovative approaches to reveal the building blocks of matter. The Frontiers of the Universe project will gather these capabilities under one roof, along with the space mission component. This will begin with ULTRASAT, which is under development with the Israeli aerospace industry and partners such as NASA, thus placing the Institute – and Israel – at the forefront of scientific space exploration.
Much about the universe is unknown – how it formed, what it is made of, whether we are alone in its vastness. The Frontiers of the Universe project will seek to answer such questions, empowering scientists to conduct investigations that shed truly new light on age-old mysteries. A cutting-edge new building will be home to the extended family of Weizmann physicists and serve as a base for space missions. Visitors will be able to watch satellite and telescope operations live, making the Frontiers building a pilgrimage site for stargazers young and old.
From theory to experiment to community, the Frontiers initiative will help us understand our world, and beyond.
While physics may seem remote, it touches our lives in many ways: after all, it is the study of what nature is and how it works. The Frontiers of the Universe will advance all areas of the field.
Understanding how stars are born and die, and what they are made of, will help explain life on Earth – and its possible existence elsewhere. Creating new telescopes and technologies will give momentum to astrophysics. Analyzing subatomic particles and developing next-generation detectors will help reveal the quantum world and unveil dark matter. The ULTRASAT satellite will alert astronomers worldwide to supernovas, black holes, collisions, and other events in real time, transforming what we know about our complex and marvelous universe.
©2024 American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
