As a strong supporter of physics community, National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) took the lead of sponsorship of the "World Year of Physics 2005" in Hsinchu Science Park, the city known as the "Silicon Valley in Taiwan" in northern part of the island, and organized a series of programs including taking part in the global event "Physics enlightens the world".

The objective is to bring the attention and support from all levels in physics education, to recognize that physics and basic science as a whole is invaluable to mankind. Facing the shortage of research scientists in fundamental science, many problems including global warming, environmental pollution, diseases and medicine, energy shortage, etc. are awaiting to be solved. For this very same reason, NSRRC is taking the opportunity to promote programs of physics research and to acknowledge its irreplaceable role in civilization.

The World Year of Physics 2005 is a United Nations endorsed, international celebration of physics. Events throughout the year will highlight the vitality of physics and its importance in the coming millennium, and will commemorate the pioneering contributions of Albert Einstein in 1905. Through the efforts of a worldwide collaboration of scientific societies, the World Year of Physics brings the excitement of physics to the public and will inspire a new generation of scientists.

One of the highlight in the celebration is "Physics enlightens the world" that was initiated by Dr. Max E. Lippitsch and Sonja Draxler (Physics Dept. Karl-Franzens-Universitat, Austria) with the objective, "A relay of darkness and light, circling the globe in one night, uniting all countries under the banner of physics."

The signal is expected to start in Princeton, NJ, in the evening of April 18, 2005, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Einstein's death. The activity should proceed across the U.S.A. to the west coast. Then, possible two routes are considered, one by Russia and the other from Japan and Taiwan through India that eventually re-join in Austria. The final stop is back to Princeton exactly after a journey of 24 hours.

Joined with many co-sponsors including City of Hsin-chu, the Physical Society of the Republic of China, Industrial Technology Research Institute – Opto-Electronics & Systems Laboratories, National Tsing Hua University – Physics department, National Chiao-Tung University – Institute and Department of Electrophysics, and local radio station IC Broadcasting Company, the NSRRC will ignite its synchrotron light source on April 19, 2005 (Asia time zone)and generate electrons that will release millions of photons to fill the storage ring facility.

NSRRC is the first third generation synchrotron facility built in Asia. Completed in 1993, the NSRRC has been providing its facility and resources to both domestic and international researchers and to the interests of the worldwide synchrotron radiation community since. To learn more about NSRRC, visit our website frequently for the announcement of semi-annual Open House programs.

The celebration of "World Year of Physics 2005"