Close to 3000 members of the public decided to have a look at a building that is shaped like a doughnut, as big as a football field and creates light more powerful than the sun when the Australian Synchrotron held its bi-annual Open Day held on Sunday, 16 October.
During the year, the Clayton facility is used by thousands of scientists who conduct experiments using a suite of instruments.
There are scheduled public tours, but the Open Day is a unique opportunity to speak with scientists and engineers.
Both the staff and Australian Synchrotron leadership are always surprised but encouraged by the level of public interest when they open their doors.
“It is great to see that people are really curious about science and want to learn how insights we are delivering advances in human health, energy and electronics, agriculture, and so much more,” said Prof Peele.
“Hopefully, children are also considering where science might take them to improve our world,” he added.
Visitors learned how synchrotron techniques reveal chemical and electronic information at the level of molecules and atoms.
This year, Open Day included an optional tour of the inner ring, where electrons are accelerated close to the speed the light to produce powerful X-rays and infrared radiation.
There is no public or staff access to the circular area where the ring is located when the Synchrotron operates. Technicians might enter the area for maintenance when the beam has scheduled shutdowns.
The Synchrotron is a masterwork of engineering, and the expertise that is needed to generate and maintain a stable synchrotron beam is equally impressive.
Part of the Open Day program included science workshops with the theme of light and colour and hands-on activities for young visitors that was organised by more than 80 volunteers from the Lab Rats Science Club.
About 80 staff of the Australian Synchrotron also volunteered their time to explain the advanced science undertaken on the beamlines and engineering that creates light more powerful than the sun.
The bi-annual event is organised by the Education team at ANSTO.
