Gravitational wave detection through millisecond pulsar timing. This project aims to detect gravitational waves (GWs) using precision pulsar timing observations. Direct detection of GWs is of huge international importance and would place Australia at the forefront of the new research field of GW astronomy. The project provides a link between current GW detection experiments and the GW astronomy that will become commonplace with future telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). It wil ....Gravitational wave detection through millisecond pulsar timing. This project aims to detect gravitational waves (GWs) using precision pulsar timing observations. Direct detection of GWs is of huge international importance and would place Australia at the forefront of the new research field of GW astronomy. The project provides a link between current GW detection experiments and the GW astronomy that will become commonplace with future telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). It will answer important questions in relativistic astrophysics, cosmology and planetary astronomy. The groundwork for SKA science proposed here will demonstrate Australian commitment to the SKA. Read moreRead less
Imaging circumstellar matter at high resolution. Within contemporary astrophysics there is a particular fascination with matter in near-stellar environments. Studies of stellar and planetary systems from formation through to eventual destruction entail observation of material, principally dust and gas, playing their parts on a very remote stage. A new generation of telescopes, known as interferometers, deliver extremely high resolutions enabling our first direct glimpses of these phenomena. Here ....Imaging circumstellar matter at high resolution. Within contemporary astrophysics there is a particular fascination with matter in near-stellar environments. Studies of stellar and planetary systems from formation through to eventual destruction entail observation of material, principally dust and gas, playing their parts on a very remote stage. A new generation of telescopes, known as interferometers, deliver extremely high resolutions enabling our first direct glimpses of these phenomena. Here I propose using a number of these devices in concert in order to dramatically enhance their scientific payoff. In addition to enabling unique studies of stellar systems, new techniques for merging disparate data into powerful combined forms will be devised.Read moreRead less