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
The First Objects in the Universe. We seek to unravel the mystery behind the emergence of the first objects in the Universe from what are romantically termed the "Dark Ages" - this brief (500 million year) phase marks the transition from a smooth to a clumpy Universe and is the target for billion-dollar technologies such as the Square Kilometer Array and the James Webb Space Telescope. We are establishing linkages between the groups responsible for the most powerful hydrodynamics codes applicab ....The First Objects in the Universe. We seek to unravel the mystery behind the emergence of the first objects in the Universe from what are romantically termed the "Dark Ages" - this brief (500 million year) phase marks the transition from a smooth to a clumpy Universe and is the target for billion-dollar technologies such as the Square Kilometer Array and the James Webb Space Telescope. We are establishing linkages between the groups responsible for the most powerful hydrodynamics codes applicable to simulating the dark ages, in order to implement a new paradigm for star formation and energy feedback which will aid in the interpretation of data from this next generation of major facilities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,352.00
Summary
36-megapixel CCD camera for wide-field astronomy. This project aims to design and build a state-of-the-art 36-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for wide-field imaging on a robotic telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. The camera will employ a mosaic of two 18-megapixel CCDs, which are amongst the largest ever fabricated. This new facility will have an unprecedented ability to obtain precision photometry over a wide field, and will enable breakthroughs in research into areas as diver ....36-megapixel CCD camera for wide-field astronomy. This project aims to design and build a state-of-the-art 36-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for wide-field imaging on a robotic telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. The camera will employ a mosaic of two 18-megapixel CCDs, which are amongst the largest ever fabricated. This new facility will have an unprecedented ability to obtain precision photometry over a wide field, and will enable breakthroughs in research into areas as diverse as detection of extra-solar planets and nearby supernovae. The camera will also lead to collaborative research with ANU's newly-funded Skymapper telescope, as well as the Anglo-Australian Observatory's 6dF and 2dF instruments.Read moreRead less
A deep survey for compact structure in the nearby universe: key science for the upgraded Australian Long Baseline Array. This project uses advances in ICT to build a national and international network of facilities that includes existing telescopes primarily on the east coast of Australia, as well as planned facilities in Western Australia and New Zealand. One of these facilities, the New Technology Demonstrator, is a crucial part of Australia's roadmap to the Square Kilometre Array. The SKA-r ....A deep survey for compact structure in the nearby universe: key science for the upgraded Australian Long Baseline Array. This project uses advances in ICT to build a national and international network of facilities that includes existing telescopes primarily on the east coast of Australia, as well as planned facilities in Western Australia and New Zealand. One of these facilities, the New Technology Demonstrator, is a crucial part of Australia's roadmap to the Square Kilometre Array. The SKA-related science and technology demonstrations we will undertake as part of this project will contribute to Australia's bid to host this $US1b instrument. This project cements a significant Trans-Tasman collaboration and brings together researchers in astrophysics and ICT to give Australia a leading position in the field of eVLBI.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$990,000.00
Summary
Australian partnership in advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) - continuation. Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Obervatory (LIGO) will be the first gravitational wave observatory capable of frequent observation of known sources of gravitational waves leading to the birth of gravitational wave astronomy. By playing a key role in this facility, Australia will reap the scientific rewards of being part of the most exciting frontier of physics in the 2 ....Australian partnership in advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) - continuation. Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Obervatory (LIGO) will be the first gravitational wave observatory capable of frequent observation of known sources of gravitational waves leading to the birth of gravitational wave astronomy. By playing a key role in this facility, Australia will reap the scientific rewards of being part of the most exciting frontier of physics in the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Smart searches for continuous gravitational waves with advanced LIGO. This project aims to detect continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars, by using smart signal processing methods developed for engineering applications like mobile telephony. The first direct detection of Einstein's gravitational waves from two merging black holes by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in 2015 began a new era of human discovery. This project is expected to progress gravitational wave ....Smart searches for continuous gravitational waves with advanced LIGO. This project aims to detect continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars, by using smart signal processing methods developed for engineering applications like mobile telephony. The first direct detection of Einstein's gravitational waves from two merging black holes by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in 2015 began a new era of human discovery. This project is expected to progress gravitational wave science and Australia's role in it, and generate insights about the origin of neutron stars and the physics of bulk nuclear matter under extremes of gravity, density and magnetisation which cannot be replicated on Earth.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100316
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,515.00
Summary
Seeing in the dark: measuring the signature of the early Universe with low-frequency radio telescopes. This project will detect and measure the signature of the first ionising sources in the early Universe. It uses a unique intersection of information theory and analysis methodology to design and implement a method of extracting the faint neutral hydrogen signal of reionisation from complex datasets. The hydrogen structure around these first light sources will be measured using data from the Mur ....Seeing in the dark: measuring the signature of the early Universe with low-frequency radio telescopes. This project will detect and measure the signature of the first ionising sources in the early Universe. It uses a unique intersection of information theory and analysis methodology to design and implement a method of extracting the faint neutral hydrogen signal of reionisation from complex datasets. The hydrogen structure around these first light sources will be measured using data from the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia, revealing the signature of reionisation for the first time. Measurement of this signal constrains our understanding of the large-scale evolution of the Universe, defines properties of the first generation of stars and galaxies, and expands our understanding of the full history of the Universe.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100849
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,637.00
Summary
Measuring the Universe’s early evolution using lunar occultations. This project seeks to measure a radio signal for the first time, using the Murchison Widefield Array telescope and a novel technique involving the Moon, to learn what luminous objects dominated the early Universe. There is an entire period in the early Universe that remains unobserved because familiar objects such as stars and galaxies have yet to form. One of the few observables from this period, and the time directly following ....Measuring the Universe’s early evolution using lunar occultations. This project seeks to measure a radio signal for the first time, using the Murchison Widefield Array telescope and a novel technique involving the Moon, to learn what luminous objects dominated the early Universe. There is an entire period in the early Universe that remains unobserved because familiar objects such as stars and galaxies have yet to form. One of the few observables from this period, and the time directly following it, is the radio signal emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms. Innovative analysis techniques may be developed and new training pathways for astronomers should be initiated. The Project aims to raise Australia’s scientific profile and engage the public, promoting astronomy by making results accessible and using the Moon as a familiar foundation.Read moreRead less
Galaxy formation and femtosecond frequency combs. I bring galaxy observations from already-scheduled European time on
major international telescopes and I will add significant value to
large US datasets. The scientific return will accrue to Australian
researchers. I bring strong collaborations with the UK, USA, Europe
and Canada, providing galaxy data which Australia cannot otherwise
access. I will establish a new knowledge-base in Australia by applying
femtosecond frequency comb technolog ....Galaxy formation and femtosecond frequency combs. I bring galaxy observations from already-scheduled European time on
major international telescopes and I will add significant value to
large US datasets. The scientific return will accrue to Australian
researchers. I bring strong collaborations with the UK, USA, Europe
and Canada, providing galaxy data which Australia cannot otherwise
access. I will establish a new knowledge-base in Australia by applying
femtosecond frequency comb technology to astronomy. This will cement
Australian involvment in future telescopes. New technology for
Australian telescopes, commercial and industry links are also
possible. Student training is a main focus, providing a future for
Australian research and skills transferable to industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A New Digital Radar for Studies in Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Physics. Australia is a world leader in the development of High Frequency (HF) radar surveillance systems, such as JORN (Jindalee over-the-horizon radar). However, Australia's ability to support these operations and remain a leader in these fields depends on its capacity to nurture expertise and train new personnel in these areas. The new HF radar system will play a crucial role in this respect, providing (i) high-level trainin ....A New Digital Radar for Studies in Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Physics. Australia is a world leader in the development of High Frequency (HF) radar surveillance systems, such as JORN (Jindalee over-the-horizon radar). However, Australia's ability to support these operations and remain a leader in these fields depends on its capacity to nurture expertise and train new personnel in these areas. The new HF radar system will play a crucial role in this respect, providing (i) high-level training in radar technology and associated science, (ii) a test bed for the development of new instrumental and data analysis techniques, (c) new information on the source of ionospheric perturbations that can affect the performance of JORN, and (d) data important for Australia's space weather prediction community, via IPS (Ionospheric Prediction Service) Radio and Space Services.Read moreRead less