Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestria ....Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestrial clocks. New analysis techniques and establishment of an international observing network will be required. Investigation and application of techniques for overcoming radio interference will be an important part of the project.Read moreRead less
Defeating Radio Frequency Interference. The radio spectrum is a valuable resource. Development of techniques which minimize the impact of various users on one another, allowing this resource to be shared, will benefit the entire community. For astronomy in particular, shared use is essential because of the very wide bandwidths needed to obtain sufficient sensitivity. Usage of the radio spectrum is increasing rapidly and radio telescopes are becoming more and more sensitive, compounding the probl ....Defeating Radio Frequency Interference. The radio spectrum is a valuable resource. Development of techniques which minimize the impact of various users on one another, allowing this resource to be shared, will benefit the entire community. For astronomy in particular, shared use is essential because of the very wide bandwidths needed to obtain sufficient sensitivity. Usage of the radio spectrum is increasing rapidly and radio telescopes are becoming more and more sensitive, compounding the problems. The digital signal processing techniques developed under this project will be widely applicable, not only to future radio astronomy facilities such as the Square Kilometer Array, but also to the communications industry generally.Read moreRead less
Numerical modelling of the solar atmosphere. This project will develop a complete and realistic model of the magnetic solar activity using computer simulations of the interconnected solar interior and atmosphere. The results of this project will provide a deeper insight into the physical processes behind solar activity phenomena and will help in the development of methods of solar activity prediction.
Technologies for space based interferometry. This project aims to develop a new method for laser displacement measurements that will be uniquely suited for use in space. These measurements will enable gravitational measurements of unprecedented accuracy. Missions such as GRACE utilise gravitational observations to provide the distribution of melting polar ice, changes in sea levels, and quantitative estimates of ground water in the world’s food bowls. The technique will also allow space-based gr ....Technologies for space based interferometry. This project aims to develop a new method for laser displacement measurements that will be uniquely suited for use in space. These measurements will enable gravitational measurements of unprecedented accuracy. Missions such as GRACE utilise gravitational observations to provide the distribution of melting polar ice, changes in sea levels, and quantitative estimates of ground water in the world’s food bowls. The technique will also allow space-based gravitational wave detectors far simpler than previous proposals. The improved performance, inherent robustness and drastically reduced complexity will enable new classes of missions that would not otherwise be possible. Read moreRead less
The astrophysical stochastic background of gravitational waves and detection by advanced high optical power interferometers: an Australia-US collaboration. The proposed project is designed to enable one of the most exciting and least studied components of the gravitational wave spectrum, the Astrophysical Gravitational wave Background (AGB), to be detected by Advanced LIGO. It will extend the Australia-US collaboration in Advanced LIGO to include modeling, simulation and detection methods of the ....The astrophysical stochastic background of gravitational waves and detection by advanced high optical power interferometers: an Australia-US collaboration. The proposed project is designed to enable one of the most exciting and least studied components of the gravitational wave spectrum, the Astrophysical Gravitational wave Background (AGB), to be detected by Advanced LIGO. It will extend the Australia-US collaboration in Advanced LIGO to include modeling, simulation and detection methods of the AGB and the study of the optical noise in LIGO and Advanced LIGO type systems. In particular we plan to search for anomalous noise sources and, especially those arising in high optical power cavities that could limit detection of the AGB.Read moreRead less
Advanced computer simulations of star cluster evolution. The topic of this fellowship is dynamical simulations of star clusters using high-end graphics cards originally developed for the computer gaming industry. The proposed fellowship will thereby enhance Australia's capacity in the exploitation of high-performance computing and will give it a strong position in the new field of graphics card based simulations. The computer cluster built during the fellowship will also be an outstanding enviro ....Advanced computer simulations of star cluster evolution. The topic of this fellowship is dynamical simulations of star clusters using high-end graphics cards originally developed for the computer gaming industry. The proposed fellowship will thereby enhance Australia's capacity in the exploitation of high-performance computing and will give it a strong position in the new field of graphics card based simulations. The computer cluster built during the fellowship will also be an outstanding environment for the training of students. In addition, while Australia has a strong tradition in star cluster astronomy, it has so far not captured a leadership role in the theoretical analysis. The four years of this fellowship will allow it to establish a world-leading position in star cluster simulations.Read moreRead less
Geomagnetic induced currents in the Australian electricity supply network. This project will develop measures to protect the Australian electricity supply network from adverse effects of enhanced solar activity. This is essential for risk assessment and long term asset management of the Australian electricity network.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0228799
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,602,000.00
Summary
Australian Membership of the International Gemini Partnership. The International Gemini Partnership is an intergovernmental consortium formed to construct and operate two 8-metre optical/infrared telescopes, one in Chile, and the other in Hawaii. Australia joined the IGP in May 1998, taking approximately 5% of the partnership. The Gemini telescopes have been carefully engineered to exploit the superb atmospheric conditions at both sites, allowing users to address key astronomical problems in way ....Australian Membership of the International Gemini Partnership. The International Gemini Partnership is an intergovernmental consortium formed to construct and operate two 8-metre optical/infrared telescopes, one in Chile, and the other in Hawaii. Australia joined the IGP in May 1998, taking approximately 5% of the partnership. The Gemini telescopes have been carefully engineered to exploit the superb atmospheric conditions at both sites, allowing users to address key astronomical problems in ways not previously possible. Through membership of Gemini, Australian astronomers have access to the world-class facilities necessary to maintain their high international profile and great public visibility in Galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and also to enhance the national capacity to construct advanced scientific instrumentation. Australia has already won a contract to build one of the instruments.Read moreRead less