Unveiling the first billion years: enabling epoch of reionisation science

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This project aims to deliver detections and exploration of the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) through observation of the 21 cm hydrogen emission line from gas in the first billion years of the Universe. The EoR and Cosmic Dawn mark the two remaining unobserved periods in the history of the Universe. Together, they are witness to the formation, birth and illumination of the first stars, galaxies and x-ray sources, and the consequent transformation of the intergalactic medium from a cold, neutral fog of hydrogen, to a heated, ionised canvas for the luminous Universe. The 21cm neutral hydrogen radio signal maps the astrophysics and cosmology of the first billion years, providing a direct tracer of their evolution and spatial distribution. The project will deliver advances in early Universe physics by circumventing limitations of current experiments, and will deliver lasting scientific and technological breakthroughs.