Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100158
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
The Nanten2 sub-millimetre telescope. The millimetre-wavelength sky holds the key for understanding how stars form in the coldest regions of interstellar space: the molecular clouds of our Galaxy. A new frontline facility in Chile will be used in an international research endeavour to map their structures, in order to find out how they form and what causes stars to be born inside them.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100038
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
The NANTEN2 Observatory sub-millimetre wave telescope. The millimetre-wavelength sky holds the key to understanding how stars form in the coldest regions of interstellar space: the molecular clouds of our Galaxy. This new frontline facility in Chile will be used in an international research endeavour to map these cold regions and the stars they contain in order to find out how they form and what causes stars to be born within them.
Resolving the interstellar carbon crisis with multilaser spectroscopy. This project aims to provide astronomers of the future with firm diagnostic tools to identify and understand exotic carbon species in the interstellar medium. Life on Earth began after delivery of carbon-based pre-biotic material to the young planet by comets and meteorites. This material came from outside the solar system, but we do not yet know the chemical make-up of the interstellar matter. This is because we do not under ....Resolving the interstellar carbon crisis with multilaser spectroscopy. This project aims to provide astronomers of the future with firm diagnostic tools to identify and understand exotic carbon species in the interstellar medium. Life on Earth began after delivery of carbon-based pre-biotic material to the young planet by comets and meteorites. This material came from outside the solar system, but we do not yet know the chemical make-up of the interstellar matter. This is because we do not understand precisely how the interstellar molecules and dust interact with starlight. This project will create and study models of interstellar matter in the laboratory, and will determine the chemical form of carbon in the interstellar medium. This will have lasting impact on astrophysical models, as well as theories of the origin of life.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101086
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Pioneering measurements of hidden gas in our Milky Way Galaxy. This project aims to measure hidden gas in our Milky Way Galaxy. The dynamic transformation of diffuse gas to dense clouds and then to stars is a crucial component of how galaxies function. Recent work implies vast reservoirs of undetected gas intermediate between the diffuse and dense phases – a missing link connecting diffuse gas to star-forming clouds. This project aims to uncover that hidden gas, using radio spectral line observa ....Pioneering measurements of hidden gas in our Milky Way Galaxy. This project aims to measure hidden gas in our Milky Way Galaxy. The dynamic transformation of diffuse gas to dense clouds and then to stars is a crucial component of how galaxies function. Recent work implies vast reservoirs of undetected gas intermediate between the diffuse and dense phases – a missing link connecting diffuse gas to star-forming clouds. This project aims to uncover that hidden gas, using radio spectral line observations and theoretical models to understand its role as an intermediary on the road to star formation. These results are expected to change understanding of how galaxies form and evolve from the early universe to the present day.Read moreRead less
The scale and structure of the Milky Way. This project aims to use new Australian infrastructure to make the most accurate distance measurements to date in the southern Milky Way, completing the three-dimensional picture of our Galaxy. Australia's international standing in astronomy has led to it being one of the host countries for the square kilometre array project, which will bring significant economic and technological benefits to the country. This project builds upon Australia's astronomical ....The scale and structure of the Milky Way. This project aims to use new Australian infrastructure to make the most accurate distance measurements to date in the southern Milky Way, completing the three-dimensional picture of our Galaxy. Australia's international standing in astronomy has led to it being one of the host countries for the square kilometre array project, which will bring significant economic and technological benefits to the country. This project builds upon Australia's astronomical expertise and will provide the most accurate picture to date of the Milky Way. Astronomy provides unique opportunities for engaging the community in discussions of science and society and inspires students to study STEM subjects.Read moreRead less
Dark gas and the formation of molecular clouds. Using frontline radio telescopes in Australia, Chile and Antarctica the project aims to understand how molecular clouds are formed in space, a part of the life cycle of our galaxy, and the role of hard-to-detect 'dark gas' in this process. Australia's Mopra telescope plays a central role in this international endeavour.
Unveiling the Galaxy: Dense Gas and Star Formation in the Milky Way. This project aims to address one of the most fundamental problems in astrophysics - understanding how high-mass stars form - by utilising a new, innovative, purpose-designed astronomical survey. This project will generate new knowledge about the star formation process by interfacing theoretical predictions with novel observations, aided by the most accurate distances yet derived. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive unders ....Unveiling the Galaxy: Dense Gas and Star Formation in the Milky Way. This project aims to address one of the most fundamental problems in astrophysics - understanding how high-mass stars form - by utilising a new, innovative, purpose-designed astronomical survey. This project will generate new knowledge about the star formation process by interfacing theoretical predictions with novel observations, aided by the most accurate distances yet derived. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive understanding of star formation, and an unparalleled map of the dense gas structure of our Galaxy. This should provide significant benefits, such as the crucial insight needed to interpret future sensitive, high-resolution surveys with next generation, globe-spanning telescopes in which Australia is a key partner.Read moreRead less
Galactic archaeology: a radial velocity experiment to unveil the history of the Milky Way. The goal of the international RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) survey is to measure velocities and chemical properties of 500,000 stars, using the Schmidt telescope at Siding Spring Observatory; the survey was conceived by Australians and involves astronomers from 10 countries. This is the basic information that we need to understand how the Milky Way formed and evolved.
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.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101270
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,109.00
Summary
Tracing the evolution of high-mass stars: combining maser evolutionary timelines with chemical clocks. Maser emission (radio analogue of lasers) arises naturally in the dense gas surrounding young, large stars. Studying many types of masers towards lots of sources will allow us to uncover the precise stages of star formation that each maser species is tracing. Such a timeline promises to be an important tool in determining how these big stars form.