Particle astrophysics with the Pierre Auger observatory. Australia's scientific reputation is enhanced through participation in international collaborations that aim to solve long-standing mysteries in science. The Pierre Auger Observatory covers a huge 3000 square km in western Argentina, where we are attempting to solve one of the biggest puzzles in modern astrophysics - the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, particles 100 million times more energetic than we can produce on Earth. Ade ....Particle astrophysics with the Pierre Auger observatory. Australia's scientific reputation is enhanced through participation in international collaborations that aim to solve long-standing mysteries in science. The Pierre Auger Observatory covers a huge 3000 square km in western Argentina, where we are attempting to solve one of the biggest puzzles in modern astrophysics - the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, particles 100 million times more energetic than we can produce on Earth. Adelaide scientists were founding members of the Auger project, and now have leading roles within the experiment. This is providing our students with access to world-class facilities and researchers in a field which has moved to the mainstream of astrophysics research.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100015
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,680,000.00
Summary
The Cherenkov Telescope Array - From Production towards Operation. The Cherenkov Telescope Array is a transformational facility in very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy. It will be 10 times more sensitive than current instruments and will revolutionise many topics in high energy astrophysics, and in astro-particle physics such as dark matter. Over 1000 scientists from over 30 countries are involved and the first telescopes on the southern hemisphere site in Chile will be installed from about 2021 ....The Cherenkov Telescope Array - From Production towards Operation. The Cherenkov Telescope Array is a transformational facility in very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy. It will be 10 times more sensitive than current instruments and will revolutionise many topics in high energy astrophysics, and in astro-particle physics such as dark matter. Over 1000 scientists from over 30 countries are involved and the first telescopes on the southern hemisphere site in Chile will be installed from about 2021. This project will ensure Australia's contribution to complete the facility, leading into its operations phase (starting in 2027). It will also fund unique optical astronomy hardware that will enable Australian scientific leadership in supporting some of the Cherenkov Telescope Array's Key Science Projects.
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A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's abil ....A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's ability to identify the mass, and hence the electric charge, of the incoming cosmic rays, allowing astrophysical source directions to be identified for the low charge particles less affected by cosmic magnetic fields. The project will also contribute to the understanding of particle interactions at energies well beyond those explored at the Large Hadron Collider.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100070
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,000.00
Summary
The Cherenkov Telescope Array. The Cherenkov Telescope Array: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a major advance in very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. It will be ten times more sensitive than current instruments and will transform many topics in high energy astrophysics concerning extreme particle acceleration, and in astro-particle physics such as dark matter. Over 1000 scientists from over 25 countries are involved and prototype telescopes are under construction. This project will enabl ....The Cherenkov Telescope Array. The Cherenkov Telescope Array: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a major advance in very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. It will be ten times more sensitive than current instruments and will transform many topics in high energy astrophysics concerning extreme particle acceleration, and in astro-particle physics such as dark matter. Over 1000 scientists from over 25 countries are involved and prototype telescopes are under construction. This project will enable a hardware contribution to the pre-production array of telescopes, bringing with it full membership, plus access to all data and core science programmes of CTA. Australian astronomers can then influence astrophysics goals of CTA, and add new scientific value to Australia's radio astronomical facilities.Read moreRead less
Instrumentation for the era of gravitational wave science. This project aims to study noise sources that limit the low-frequency performance of gravitational wave antenna: thermal noise, quantum radiation pressure noise and Newtonian noise. Gravitational wave detection is a new way in which to observe our universe. Although detectors such as advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) should detect gravitational waves, further sensitivity improvement, particularly at low ....Instrumentation for the era of gravitational wave science. This project aims to study noise sources that limit the low-frequency performance of gravitational wave antenna: thermal noise, quantum radiation pressure noise and Newtonian noise. Gravitational wave detection is a new way in which to observe our universe. Although detectors such as advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) should detect gravitational waves, further sensitivity improvement, particularly at low frequencies, will be needed to provide event rates necessary for astronomy. Expected project outcomes will support the development of the first free mass interferometer to operate at 120K using silicon optics, a vital facility for the world community. Pushing the boundaries of measurement may also drive innovation in optical sensing with potential applications in defence, security and exploration.Read moreRead less
Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray and Neutrino Astronomy using Radio Telescopes. There will be an increase in Australian visibility in the high energy astrophysics community and stronger links between and within the fields of radio astronomy and high energy astrophysics in Australia, and internationally. This project will enhance Australian participation in the international Square Kilometre Array. By making observations using the Australia Telescope we may discover the first UHE neutrino - this wo ....Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray and Neutrino Astronomy using Radio Telescopes. There will be an increase in Australian visibility in the high energy astrophysics community and stronger links between and within the fields of radio astronomy and high energy astrophysics in Australia, and internationally. This project will enhance Australian participation in the international Square Kilometre Array. By making observations using the Australia Telescope we may discover the first UHE neutrino - this would have huge impact and prestige for Australia. The technology developed resulting from this project will contribute to Australia's IT base. Read moreRead less
LUNASKA, a theoretical and experimental project for UHE neutrino astrophysics using a giant radio observatory. There will be an increase in Australian visibility in the high energy astrophysics community and stronger links between and within the fields of radio astronomy and high energy astrophysics in Australia, and internationally. This project will enhance Australian participation in the international Square Kilometre Array. By making observations using the Australia Telescope we may discov ....LUNASKA, a theoretical and experimental project for UHE neutrino astrophysics using a giant radio observatory. There will be an increase in Australian visibility in the high energy astrophysics community and stronger links between and within the fields of radio astronomy and high energy astrophysics in Australia, and internationally. This project will enhance Australian participation in the international Square Kilometre Array. By making observations using the Australia Telescope we may discover the first UHE neutrino - this would have huge impact and prestige for Australia. The technology developed resulting from this project will contribute to Australia's IT base. Hosting an international workshop will benefit national prestige and economy. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100038
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
The NANTEN2 Observatory sub-millimetre wave telescope. The millimetre-wavelength sky holds the key to understanding how stars form in the coldest regions of interstellar space: the molecular clouds of our Galaxy. This new frontline facility in Chile will be used in an international research endeavour to map these cold regions and the stars they contain in order to find out how they form and what causes stars to be born within them.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100158
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
The Nanten2 sub-millimetre telescope. The millimetre-wavelength sky holds the key for understanding how stars form in the coldest regions of interstellar space: the molecular clouds of our Galaxy. A new frontline facility in Chile will be used in an international research endeavour to map their structures, in order to find out how they form and what causes stars to be born inside them.
Dark gas and the formation of molecular clouds. Using frontline radio telescopes in Australia, Chile and Antarctica the project aims to understand how molecular clouds are formed in space, a part of the life cycle of our galaxy, and the role of hard-to-detect 'dark gas' in this process. Australia's Mopra telescope plays a central role in this international endeavour.