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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100051
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A robotic telescope imaging system for rapid response spectroscopy of gamma ray bursts. This project will build and employ a rapid response optical spectrograph on the robotic Zadko Telescope, triggered by satellite and ground based observatories. The instruments will be used to probe the most energetic explosions in the universe and to test non-standard quantum and relativity theories using coincident multi-wavelength observations.
Extreme events: mining the radio sky for gamma-ray bursts with intelligent algorithms. Gamma-ray bursts and supernova explosions are some of the most extreme events in the Universe, and working out what causes them, and other transient phenomena, will give us new physical insights. The project will search, using next generation telescopes and intelligent algorithms, to find these 'needles in a haystack'.