A networked robotic telescope array for coincident detection of transient phenomena in the optical, gravitational wave, neutrino and radio spectra. An international collaboration of scientists will employ a global network of rapid response robotic telescopes and detectors to study exotic transient phenomena in the early Universe. Potential spin-offs include the application of novel image analysis techniques for identifying and tracking dangerous space junk.
Imaging exoplanets with advanced spaceborne photonics. Discovering new worlds circling distant stars is a key endeavour of modern science. Revealing the ubiquity and diversity of exoplanets has profound implications for our perception of our origins and place in the cosmos. This project will open the first window onto the heartland of expected planetary populations.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100155
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
An Ultra-wideband Radio Receiver for the Parkes 64-metre Radio Telescope. An ultra-wideband radio receiver for the Parkes 64-metre radio telescope: This project aims to construct a state-of-the-art ultra-wide-band receiver and signal processing system for the Parkes 64-metre radio telescope. The receiver will operate across the entire 700 megahertz to four gigahertz band with outstanding sensitivity and polarimetric performance, providing a unique capability for high-time-resolution wide-bandwid ....An Ultra-wideband Radio Receiver for the Parkes 64-metre Radio Telescope. An ultra-wideband radio receiver for the Parkes 64-metre radio telescope: This project aims to construct a state-of-the-art ultra-wide-band receiver and signal processing system for the Parkes 64-metre radio telescope. The receiver will operate across the entire 700 megahertz to four gigahertz band with outstanding sensitivity and polarimetric performance, providing a unique capability for high-time-resolution wide-bandwidth astronomy. It is expected to deliver enhanced science outcomes for a wide range of projects and greatly improve the telescope's operational efficiency, extending its lifetime into the Square Kilometre Array era. Key science projects include tests of theories of relativistic gravitation, including the search for gravitational waves, probing neutron star interiors and investigations of the magnetic structure of our galaxy.Read moreRead less
Equipping VIKiNG: mid-infrared technology for exoplanet characterisation. This project aims to develop thermal infrared technologies for the Very large telescope interferometer Infrared Kernel-NullinG instrument (VIKiNG), making it the most capable direct exoplanet detection instrument on any existing, or under construction, facility. Australia is currently world leading in innovative photonics technologies, and these are currently the limiting factor in producing a manufacturable design for VIK ....Equipping VIKiNG: mid-infrared technology for exoplanet characterisation. This project aims to develop thermal infrared technologies for the Very large telescope interferometer Infrared Kernel-NullinG instrument (VIKiNG), making it the most capable direct exoplanet detection instrument on any existing, or under construction, facility. Australia is currently world leading in innovative photonics technologies, and these are currently the limiting factor in producing a manufacturable design for VIKiNG. This project provides a clear pathway for laboratory development of high-efficiency, active mid-infrared photonic circuits in the thermal infrared. Beyond benefits to astronomy, these circuits are the first step in developing remote molecule detectors for environmental monitoring and security.Read moreRead less
Carbon nanotube fluidic channels for desalination - interplay of nanoscale confinement and electrostatics. Tiny tubes of carbon, ten thousand times smaller than human hair, allow water to pass through at extraordinary speed. This project aims to understand and improve their salt rejection properties using comprehensive experimental and theoretical approaches. This will provide the impetus and knowledge for developing advanced membranes for desalination
ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics. The ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO) will establish Australia as a world-leader in the emerging discipline of wide-field astronomy. CAASTRO will answer fundamental questions about the nature of the Universe, develop innovative ways of processing enormous data-sets, and enable a diverse set of opportunities for students and early career researchers. By bringing Australia's top astronomers together into a focused collabo ....ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics. The ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO) will establish Australia as a world-leader in the emerging discipline of wide-field astronomy. CAASTRO will answer fundamental questions about the nature of the Universe, develop innovative ways of processing enormous data-sets, and enable a diverse set of opportunities for students and early career researchers. By bringing Australia's top astronomers together into a focused collaboration, CAASTRO will cement Australia's reputation as an international leader in astrophysical research, will build unique expertise in wide-field radio and optical astronomy and will position Australia to lead the science programmes planned for the Square Kilometre Array.Read moreRead less
Gravitational wave detection with current and future radio telescopes. This project will aim to detect gravitational waves using precision pulsar timing observations. Direct detection of these waves is of huge international importance and will keep Australia at the forefront of the new research field of gravitational wave astronomy that will continue to grow with the planned radio telescopes of the future.
Dark matter, dark energy, and dark flow: galaxy motion reveals fundamental physics. The twin mysteries of dark matter and dark energy present a profound challenge to modern physics. Capitalising on new Australian technology to measure the motion of tens of thousands of galaxies, we will detect unseen matter by its gravitational influence and thus illuminate the nature of the dark components of the universe.
Linear Formation Interferometry for Astrophysics and New Space Technologies. This project will prototype a new type of visible and infrared light interferometry: telescopes freely moving in a line 10s of metres in length and directing their light towards a central beam combiner. This is particularly well suited to sparse aperture optical interferometry from space, which can be used to resolve angular scales much finer than the world's largest monolithic telescopes. The ground based prototype wil ....Linear Formation Interferometry for Astrophysics and New Space Technologies. This project will prototype a new type of visible and infrared light interferometry: telescopes freely moving in a line 10s of metres in length and directing their light towards a central beam combiner. This is particularly well suited to sparse aperture optical interferometry from space, which can be used to resolve angular scales much finer than the world's largest monolithic telescopes. The ground based prototype will also be able to make a several key astrophysical observations of benchmark stars and stellar systems, including making precise polarimetric measurements of dust shells around bright stars.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100148
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,840,752.00
Summary
Exascale astronomy: real-time analysis of the transient radio universe. Exascale astronomy: real-time analysis of the transient radio universe: This fellowship project aims to develop and deploy a generic supercomputing solution for the powerful square kilometre array precursor telescopes in Australia and South Africa. ‘Fast radio bursts’ are a new astronomical phenomenon of as yet unknown origin, with enormous potential to probe the cosmos in new ways — but only a handful are known. Concurrentl ....Exascale astronomy: real-time analysis of the transient radio universe. Exascale astronomy: real-time analysis of the transient radio universe: This fellowship project aims to develop and deploy a generic supercomputing solution for the powerful square kilometre array precursor telescopes in Australia and South Africa. ‘Fast radio bursts’ are a new astronomical phenomenon of as yet unknown origin, with enormous potential to probe the cosmos in new ways — but only a handful are known. Concurrently, advances in computer graphics have enabled very low-cost parallel processors to be constructed that are revolutionising radio astronomy signal processing. The telescopes in Australia and South Africa will be used to discover new fast radio bursts, and will also be pursuing a pulsar timing program which seeks to probe the interior of neutron stars, search for gravitational waves and make new tests of general relativity.Read moreRead less