Mapping the dark matter with early type galaxies. Unidentified dark matter outweighs luminous matter (stars, gas, and galaxies) by several times and is detected by its gravitational effects in the Universe. The Six Degree Field Galaxy Survey is now complete and this project will prepare a larger survey, which will put the team clearly in the lead in understanding the distribution of dark matter.
High-cadence near-infrared imaging. This project aims to deploy a cryogenic camera system to improve the outputs of astronomical telescopes. The system is equipped with an emerging detector technology, a near-infrared Avalanche Photo-Diode array, capable of high cadence imaging with frame rates of 10 - 1,000 Hz at a wavelength of around 2.2 microns. This new technology is a key component to the future of adaptive optics systems for astronomical telescopes as it allows the rapid measurements nece ....High-cadence near-infrared imaging. This project aims to deploy a cryogenic camera system to improve the outputs of astronomical telescopes. The system is equipped with an emerging detector technology, a near-infrared Avalanche Photo-Diode array, capable of high cadence imaging with frame rates of 10 - 1,000 Hz at a wavelength of around 2.2 microns. This new technology is a key component to the future of adaptive optics systems for astronomical telescopes as it allows the rapid measurements necessary to correct the image blurring introduced by the Earth's atmosphere. No expertise currently exists in Australia with this new technology. Capitalising on previous investment, the camera system is intended to fill a capability gap in local expertise and to ensure the potential of the next generation of telescopes is realised and strengthen our competitive edge for frontier instrumentation across the wider Australian imaging community.Read moreRead less
International partnership in robotic astronomy and gravitational wave data analysis using a supercomputer. The project is aimed at providing student participation in frontier research using robotic astronomy and novel data analysis methods. It will focus on the study of the most violent explosions in the Universe - cosmological gamma ray bursts. These cataclysmic events possibly herald the formation of the most exotic objects in the Universe - black holes. It provides an exciting opportunity for ....International partnership in robotic astronomy and gravitational wave data analysis using a supercomputer. The project is aimed at providing student participation in frontier research using robotic astronomy and novel data analysis methods. It will focus on the study of the most violent explosions in the Universe - cosmological gamma ray bursts. These cataclysmic events possibly herald the formation of the most exotic objects in the Universe - black holes. It provides an exciting opportunity for students to be trained in robotic astronomy, supercomputing, image analysis and signal processing.Read moreRead less
Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as ....Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as the CSO is the only technology capable of synchronising the outputs of the telescopes arrays to the required signal to noise to attain the required image quality. The project will further Australia's status in radio astronomy as a world leader and add to our exports of precision scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
Improved Geodetic Modelling through Very Long Baseline Interferometry. We plan to develop a geodetic VLBI capability to provide independent confirmation of results from alternative techniques such as GPS and SLR and allow us to characterise and remove the systematic errors inherent in these systems, to produce an optimum, unified terrestrial reference system based on VLBI measurements, together with GPS/SLR data, especially for the Antarctic region. The ITRF is based on the VLBI ICRF linking ou ....Improved Geodetic Modelling through Very Long Baseline Interferometry. We plan to develop a geodetic VLBI capability to provide independent confirmation of results from alternative techniques such as GPS and SLR and allow us to characterise and remove the systematic errors inherent in these systems, to produce an optimum, unified terrestrial reference system based on VLBI measurements, together with GPS/SLR data, especially for the Antarctic region. The ITRF is based on the VLBI ICRF linking our astrometric and geodynamic research programs.
We will estimate motion at sites from the combination of VLBI, GPS, gravity and tide gauge data for geodynamic effects, such as post-glacial rebound and tectonic motion, global mean sea level change and determine length-of-day (LOD) variations, focused primarily on understanding the contribution from the Southern Oceans.
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Development of a new wideband feed for a cylindrical reflector antenna. The aim of this project is to design and build a wideband feed to operate at the line focus of a cylindrical reflector antenna, over the frequency range 300 MHz to 1500 MHz. The development of a low cost wideband feed will give Argus Technologies a competitive edge in the expanding telecommunications industry because they will have a single device that will satisfy many specialist antenna requirements, which can be economic ....Development of a new wideband feed for a cylindrical reflector antenna. The aim of this project is to design and build a wideband feed to operate at the line focus of a cylindrical reflector antenna, over the frequency range 300 MHz to 1500 MHz. The development of a low cost wideband feed will give Argus Technologies a competitive edge in the expanding telecommunications industry because they will have a single device that will satisfy many specialist antenna requirements, which can be economically manufactured. There will also be potential application for this array in radar and navigation systems and for the next generation radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array.Read moreRead less
Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools. Exceptional opportunities exist to engage, develop and enrich science students and their teachers through access to the cutting-edge Faulkes Telescopes (FTs). The FT South (sited in Australia) is the world's largest dedicated to educational use with Australia enjoying a 15% share as the host country of this exceptional educational initiative. Operated remotely via the internet, the FT provides natural links to ICT, ....Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools. Exceptional opportunities exist to engage, develop and enrich science students and their teachers through access to the cutting-edge Faulkes Telescopes (FTs). The FT South (sited in Australia) is the world's largest dedicated to educational use with Australia enjoying a 15% share as the host country of this exceptional educational initiative. Operated remotely via the internet, the FT provides natural links to ICT, on-line learning, physics, astronomy and mathematics. Given appropriate support, it can play a valuable role in re-engaging students in science and enhancing science education and literacy outcomes in Australian schools over the next 20 years.Read moreRead less
Peopling educational policy: realising the new Australian English and mathematics curricula. Implementation of Australian curricula in English and mathematics provides an opportunity for school systems to re-examine practice. This project will identify resources and teacher learning opportunities needed to facilitate implementation of these curricula and use findings to develop interventions identified as likely to optimise implementation.
Improving student outcomes: coaching teachers in the power of feedback. This project aims to investigate how student outcomes can be augmented through coaching teachers in effective feedback practice. The project addresses a critical problem of stagnating levels of student achievement in Australian schools with the innovative research design combining evidence-based, pedagogies of feedback, formative assessment and instructional coaching to improve teacher practice and ultimately raise student a ....Improving student outcomes: coaching teachers in the power of feedback. This project aims to investigate how student outcomes can be augmented through coaching teachers in effective feedback practice. The project addresses a critical problem of stagnating levels of student achievement in Australian schools with the innovative research design combining evidence-based, pedagogies of feedback, formative assessment and instructional coaching to improve teacher practice and ultimately raise student achievement levels. The project aims to guide policy implementation in pedagogy to raise the quality of teaching standards and to improve learning outcomes for Australian students. Ultimately, outcomes from the research will help close the gap for low achieving students, and challenge and extend those who may already be meeting required benchmarks. Read moreRead less
Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. This project aims to develop discipline-specific pedagogies in senior physics, chemistry and biology to improve disadvantaged students’ engagement and achievement. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds fail to develop the linguistic precision and symbolic representational dexterity needed to comprehend and communicate senior school science concepts. T ....Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. Multiliteracies for addressing disadvantage in senior school science. This project aims to develop discipline-specific pedagogies in senior physics, chemistry and biology to improve disadvantaged students’ engagement and achievement. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds fail to develop the linguistic precision and symbolic representational dexterity needed to comprehend and communicate senior school science concepts. These pedagogies will ‘infuse’ multiliteracies in senior school science to improve access to science-based pathways for these students, and enable them to understand progressively more complex scientific concepts and demonstrate this in examinations. This project is expected to improve student retention, arrest declining enrolments in senior school science, and increase young people working in science.Read moreRead less