UNIQUE SCIENTIFIC XPEDITIONS
Big Questions Xpeditions (BQX) is a global scientific endeavour, established to advance fundamental research into the Big Questions of science. As a 100% owned subsidiary of the Big Questions Institute (BQI), BQX probes questions like – Why is there a universe? How did life begin? Is there life elsewhere? What is consciousness?
Do you have a thirst for knowledge, or a desire to advance research into the Big Questions? Can you make a difference? Apply to join one of our small group Xpeditions.
XPEDITIONS
Explore and discover the oldest evidence of life on planet earth – 3.5 billion year old stromatolites, hosted in rocky outcrops in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
Join world renowned scientist Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk, Geologist UNSW, to discover why Australia’s stromatolites are so important to origin of life research, and to the search for life on Mars and beyond.
BQXpeditioners will 4WD to an abandoned mining camp four hours south of Port Hedland, deep into the Australian outback, where we stay at our research camp. Our Xpeditions take us to the stromatolite sites and to other points of interest including recently discovered Aboriginal petroglyphs, the breathtaking Shaw River and gold fossicking sites.
Then on to Marble Bar, reputedly the hottest inhabited town in the world, with a visit to the historically significant IronClad hotel.
The final days we camp in Karijini National Park in deluxe tents at the Eco Retreat. We have a couple of days to explore the dramatic gorges, swimming holes and enjoy the spectacular scenery this remote park has to offer. An insiders tour of Port Hedland, the largest port by tonnage in the world, concludes the tour.
XPEDITION DATES
PRICES
JUNE 2023
Discover Ladakh, high into the Himalaya ranges of north India, explore various scientific sites for earth and space research.
Start in Delhi and enjoy the cultural city sights in preparation for our flight into the mountains.
Spend a few days acclimatising to the altitude of Leh, there will be time to admire the whitewashed monasteries, buddhist temples, quaint villages and markets in the area.
Stunning Himalayan scenery surrounds us in the desert mountains. For the next 5 days travel in 4WD’s around windy roads and drive over one of the highest passes at 5328m to stay at our research camps.
Our first BQX camp is at a Salt Lake basin. With a landscape like Mars, we assist on field scientists to explore the possibility of life on another planet.
Discover high amounts of geothermal energy in the Puga Valley where hot springs spew steam across the green fields
Stay near Tso Moriri Lake, one of highest salt lakes in India at an altitude of 4500m. The rugged terrain and stark landscape, leave an incredible imprint as the lake transforms itself each day.
Travel through picturesque valleys as we make our way to the Hanle Observatory. The clear nights offer a spectacular view for star gazing in the evening.
Our trip concludes in Leh before we fly back to Delhi to conclude our Xpedition.
Embark on an astronomical journey as we visit some of the world’s most powerful telescopes in the Atacama Desert, north of Chile.
This unforgettable experience introduces the wonders and mysteries of the universe with astrophysicist Prof John Webb, University of Cambridge renowned for his observations from Keck and VLT telescopes.
We start our Xpedition in Santiago, time to relax, as we discover the sights of city, ready for our accent into altitude.
As we travel north to the coastal town of Antofagasta, we hear mixed stories of mining towns in the desert and visit the Chacabuco Saltpeter Office, one of the many abandoned nitrate towns, with its grand era and dark history.
Our special access to scientific observatories at ALMA, Cerra Tololo and Paranal provide an insight to their projects with state-of-the-art technology such as the VLT (Very Large Telescope) and soon to be constructed ELT (Extra Large Telescope) to research the universe.
Discover how these powerful telescopes have opened our eyes to the universe and allowed scientists to peek back in time to try and understand the mysteries of dark energy.
Our next four nights are in Atacama, high in altitude and one of the driest deserts on earth. Each day is an adventure and kaleidoscope of colours as we explore the salt flats, geysers, and deep blue lagoons. The rocky formations and dunes of Moon Valley and the Salt Mountains create mystical sunsets in the evenings. As the stars begin to appear, and the skies come to life, this is a perfect setting for star gazing at night.
Our Xpedition heads back to Elqui Valley, where we stay in Vicuna, crowned the capital for astronomy observation with its ideal climate. This pocket of land is lush with orchards, pisco vines and wineries and clear skies. We finish our Xpedition with a farewell lunch & Pisco Sour, having discovered the wonders of the universe.
XPEDITION DATES
PRICES
Embark on an astronomical journey as we visit some of the world’s most powerful telescopes in the Atacama Desert, north of Chile.
This unforgettable experience introduces the wonders and mysteries of the universe with astrophysicist Prof John Webb, University of Cambridge renowned for his observations from Keck and VLT telescopes.
We start our Xpedition in Santiago and travel north to the coastal town of Antofagasta. There are many mixed stories of mining towns in the desert and BQX visit the Chacabuco Saltpeter Office, one of the abandoned nitrate towns, with its grand era and dark history.
Our special access to scientific observatories at ALMA, Cerra Tololo and Paranal provide an insight to their projects with state-of-the-art technology such as the VLT (Very Large Telescope) and soon to be constructed ELT (Extra Large Telescope) to research the universe.
Discover how these powerful telescopes have opened our eyes to the universe and allowed scientists to peek back in time to try and understand the mysteries of dark energy.
Our next four nights are in Atacama, high in altitude and one of the driest deserts on earth. Each day is an adventure and kaleidoscope of colours as we explore the salt flats, geysers, and deep blue lagoons. The rocky formations and dunes of Moon Valley and the Salt Mountains create mystical sunsets in the evenings. As the stars begin to appear, and the skies come to life, this is a perfect setting for star gazing at night.
Our Xpedition heads back to Elqui Valley, where we stay in Vicuna, crowned the capital for astronomy observation with its ideal climate. This pocket of land is lush with orchards, pisco vines and wineries and clear skies. We finish our Xpedition with a farewell lunch & Pisco Sour, having discovered the wonders of the universe.
XPEDITION DATES
PRICES
Explore the remote Isua belt of Greenland and discover stromatolites that are considered to be oldest on the earth – over 3.7 billion years old.
Join world renowned geologist Professor Allen Nutman from the Univ of Wollongong, as he takes you through his discovery of these fossils and understanding of earliest life on earth.
Our Xpeditioners will meet in Copenhagen for the night in preparation for the flight to Nuuk.
Once we arrive in Greenland, this large country with a small population already gives way to being in a remote part of the world.
Our adventure begins with a helicopter flight to our BQX research camp based near the ice sheet. Over the next four days we hike and explore the rugged terrain & rock outcrops with Prof Nutman and his fieldwork. Discover the controversial stromatolites of the Isua Greenstone Belt.
On our return to Nuuk we have time to enjoy the city, and see old traditions merge with the new, visiting the Colonial harbour and the middens of an abandoned settlement of the early Inuit.
We finish our Xpediton taking in the spectacular scenery of the Fjords and colourful houses on the coastline with a cruise. Our trip concludes with a return flight to Copenhagen.
XPEDITION DATES
PRICES
Itinerary details are still being curated for this BQXpedition. Register your interest to receive further information on this expedition and to find out how you can make a difference in the world of scientific endeavour.
Itinerary details are still being curated for this BQXpedition. 2022 departures available now.
Itinerary details are still being curated for this BQXpedition. Register your interest to receive further information on this expedition and to find out how you can make a difference in the world of scientific endeavour.
OUR
PURPOSE
- To develop collaborative partnerships with world leading scientists researching the Big Questions of science
- To actively contribute and advance fundamental Big Questions research, either financially, scientifically or by contributing time, talent or relationships
- To boldly explore remote areas of the globe critical to Big Questions research
- To inspire young people to pursue a career in science, and to promote Big Question thinking in everyday life
Big Questions Xpeditions (BQX) is 100% owned by Big Questions Institute (BQI)
BQI IS A UNIQUE FUNDING PLATFORM CREATED TO SUPPORT CURIOSITY DRIVEN RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA
BQI’s purpose is to provide catalytic philanthropic funding to foundational science research in Australia. Acting as an intermediary between researchers and donors, BQI identifies, targets and matches funds between leading Big Question researchers and major philanthropic donors.