Geophysical, Galactic, and Extra-Galactic Science with the AuScope and Australian Pathfinder Arrays. Two new radio telescope arrays are under construction in Australia. One is the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, near Geraldton. The other is a very long baseline array with antennae near Hobart, Katherine, and Yarragadee. These three antennae work together to observe radio sources far away across the universe. Their observations are used to establish a very accurate coordinate syste ....Geophysical, Galactic, and Extra-Galactic Science with the AuScope and Australian Pathfinder Arrays. Two new radio telescope arrays are under construction in Australia. One is the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, near Geraldton. The other is a very long baseline array with antennae near Hobart, Katherine, and Yarragadee. These three antennae work together to observe radio sources far away across the universe. Their observations are used to establish a very accurate coordinate system or reference frame on the earth, to which the global positioning system is aligned. This program will use these new radio telescope arrays to study the Milky Way and other galaxies, and to study continental drift and sea-level rise on the Earth.Read moreRead less
A survey of the interstellar medium in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Between the stars in the Milky Way there are clouds of gas and dust; old stars eject heavy elements into this interstellar medium, and new stars form when interstellar clouds collapse under their own gravity. This survey is making maps of the interstellar gas using spectral lines at radio wavelengths to trace the cycle of star formation.
Establishing the reference frame using astronomical and space-geodetic observations. Australia is increasingly dependent on spatial positioning and spatial data, yet mostly relies upon international agencies and research organisations to provide regular updates of coordinates and reference frame definition used on Earth. Improving the accuracy of the reference frame definition and our understanding of errors in the space-based measurements will provide new insights for studies of the Earth. The ....Establishing the reference frame using astronomical and space-geodetic observations. Australia is increasingly dependent on spatial positioning and spatial data, yet mostly relies upon international agencies and research organisations to provide regular updates of coordinates and reference frame definition used on Earth. Improving the accuracy of the reference frame definition and our understanding of errors in the space-based measurements will provide new insights for studies of the Earth. The research will yield results in studies of national significance, such as sea level rise, the effects of melting polar regions, and crustal deformation, as well as developing Australia's expertise in exploiting observations of the Earth from space.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,000.00
Summary
Broadband receivers for AuScope geodetic and astronomical applications . Broadband receivers for AuScope geodetic and astronomical applications: This project aims to develop an innovative broadband receiver system which will be deployed on the AuScope array of radio telescopes. This will enable the telescopes to play a key role in improving precision navigation both in Australia and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. The new receiver systems will significantly improve the capability of these fa ....Broadband receivers for AuScope geodetic and astronomical applications . Broadband receivers for AuScope geodetic and astronomical applications: This project aims to develop an innovative broadband receiver system which will be deployed on the AuScope array of radio telescopes. This will enable the telescopes to play a key role in improving precision navigation both in Australia and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. The new receiver systems will significantly improve the capability of these facilities for both geodetic and astronomical investigations. Improvements to the accuracy of the terrestrial reference frame in Australia will allow more accurate measurements of changes in sea level, while high precision astrometric observations undertaken with the new receivers will be used to determine the structure of our Milky Way Galaxy.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100055
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,000.00
Summary
Hidden Earths and distant Suns: a new optical astronomy observatory in Tasmania. This facility at the University of Tasmania will be a remotely operable 1.3 metre optical telescope with a suite of powerful scientific cameras. It will be used to hunt for Earth-like planets around other stars and to study the variability of stars like the Sun, helping to answer fundamental questions about the Universe and our place in it.