Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with m ....Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with massively multiplexed telescopes. A spectrometer design with large spectral bandwidth and high resolution, optimised for a facility consisting of thousands of small telescopes, and novel optical fibres to link them, will open the door for breakthrough science requiring an entirely new class of telescope.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100433
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,627.00
Summary
Origins and implications of cosmic explosions . This project aims to solve the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) by conducting a study of a large sample (>100) of localised bursts detected with a new coherent FRB detection system called CRACO deployed at the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). Such a rich sample will enable novel studies of the structure of the Universe. The powerful and sensitive CRACO system will also search for transients that last for hundreds of millisecon ....Origins and implications of cosmic explosions . This project aims to solve the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) by conducting a study of a large sample (>100) of localised bursts detected with a new coherent FRB detection system called CRACO deployed at the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). Such a rich sample will enable novel studies of the structure of the Universe. The powerful and sensitive CRACO system will also search for transients that last for hundreds of milliseconds, exploring new types of astrophysical phenomena that give insight into the Universe's extremes. These discoveries will have a significant impact on science, establishing Australia as a key player in the international FRB community.
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Cubesat Technologies for High Spatial Resolution Astrophysics. This project aims to combine cubesat and hybrid cubesat/micro-satellite concepts studied in Australia and Japan, prototyping and space-qualifying the most custom components, enabling a future affordable launch. High angular resolution is critical for studying processes of star formation, black holes, and exoplanets. An array of small satellites can greatly exceed the angular resolution of a single telescope, or the sensitivity of atm ....Cubesat Technologies for High Spatial Resolution Astrophysics. This project aims to combine cubesat and hybrid cubesat/micro-satellite concepts studied in Australia and Japan, prototyping and space-qualifying the most custom components, enabling a future affordable launch. High angular resolution is critical for studying processes of star formation, black holes, and exoplanets. An array of small satellites can greatly exceed the angular resolution of a single telescope, or the sensitivity of atmosphere-limited ground-based interferometers. Space qualifying the key inter-spacecraft metrology and fibre injection technologies will not only enable a future Australian satellite astrophysical interferometer, but is also relevant for optical communications links and earth observations. Read moreRead less