Topeka ? Kansas legislators are getting behind an effort to support the construction of a research project in southeastern Colorado to study ultra-high energy cosmic rays.

The Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory project involves the collaboration of 400 scientists from 70 universities in 17 countries, officials said.

Developers have proposed building the project in sparsely populated southeastern Colorado to take advantage of the lack of interference from lights.

The project will cover an area of 8,000 square miles. An Auger South observatory was built in Argentina at a cost of approximately $53 million.

A resolution before the Legislature states that the project would bring educational benefits to the region.

Legislators want to form a task force to lead Kansas’ participation in the project.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 1630 states that “the Kansas Legislature strongly supports participation with the state of Colorado in Auger North and pledges the support of Kansas educational institutions, with their demonstrated expertise and experience with research …”

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the resolution Wednesday, the first day of the wrap up session, and hear from scientists on the project.