Virtual Star Clusters: The Dynamics and Evolution of Stars and Planets. Most stars are born in star clusters. When stars age
they swell and contract, change composition,
lose mass, and in dense regions they may collide.
Further, about 50% of stars are binary pairs,
and when these swell they can merge or
transfer mass. These effects dramatically
alter the lives of stars and their chemical makeup.
By combining special
purpose computers with newly developed simulation techniques,
we will ....Virtual Star Clusters: The Dynamics and Evolution of Stars and Planets. Most stars are born in star clusters. When stars age
they swell and contract, change composition,
lose mass, and in dense regions they may collide.
Further, about 50% of stars are binary pairs,
and when these swell they can merge or
transfer mass. These effects dramatically
alter the lives of stars and their chemical makeup.
By combining special
purpose computers with newly developed simulation techniques,
we will include all these effects to answer timely
and important astronomical
questions such as: can planets survive life in
a cluster? how do interactions between stars
affect the chemical enrichment of
clusters and galaxies?Read moreRead less
The role of magnetic fields in star formation. Recently we have performed the world's first calculations of star cluster formation that incorporate the effects of magnetic fields and radiation. This research has recently been brought back to Australia and the goal of this proposal is to extend our competitive edge in this area.
Whilst calculations of the formation of stars gives us fundamental understanding about a very basic physical process in the universe (namely, the conversion of gas into s ....The role of magnetic fields in star formation. Recently we have performed the world's first calculations of star cluster formation that incorporate the effects of magnetic fields and radiation. This research has recently been brought back to Australia and the goal of this proposal is to extend our competitive edge in this area.
Whilst calculations of the formation of stars gives us fundamental understanding about a very basic physical process in the universe (namely, the conversion of gas into stars), the equations we solve and the methods used to solve them, are the same as those used to describe many gases and fluids on earth. Solving these equations in difficult astrophysical regimes develops new methodology which translates readily to earth-bound problems.Read moreRead less
Structure and Evolution of High Brightness Temperature Cores of Quasars and Galaxies. Interstellar scintillation, ISS, is a revolutionary new and powerful technique which we will use to study the highest brightness temperature cores of radio quasars with unprecedented angular resolution, and probe the interstellar medium of our Galaxy in a way not previously possible. The combination of scintillation and conventional VLBI allows imaging with light-month to light-year resolution across the known ....Structure and Evolution of High Brightness Temperature Cores of Quasars and Galaxies. Interstellar scintillation, ISS, is a revolutionary new and powerful technique which we will use to study the highest brightness temperature cores of radio quasars with unprecedented angular resolution, and probe the interstellar medium of our Galaxy in a way not previously possible. The combination of scintillation and conventional VLBI allows imaging with light-month to light-year resolution across the known Universe. Scintillation observations are challenging basic synchrotron physics by uncovering quasar cores with temperatures possibly as high as 10^15 K, and lifetimes many times longer than theory. The Ceduna and Hobart telescopes are cornerstones of our scintillation and VLBI proposals.
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From dust to planets: New initiatives to refine models of the inner Solar System's earliest history. This project will help continue the proud tradition of Australia as an international leader in mass spectrometric analyses and cosmochemistry. The questions surrounding the origin and significance of terrestrial planets are closely related to our very presence: "Are we alone"?
Research into meteorites is one of the few areas of science that truly captures the imagination of the general public. T ....From dust to planets: New initiatives to refine models of the inner Solar System's earliest history. This project will help continue the proud tradition of Australia as an international leader in mass spectrometric analyses and cosmochemistry. The questions surrounding the origin and significance of terrestrial planets are closely related to our very presence: "Are we alone"?
Research into meteorites is one of the few areas of science that truly captures the imagination of the general public. This project, through its integration with the WA Museum, gives the public a possibility to share in this experience.Read moreRead less
The next generation of stellar models: incorporating the results of multidimensional hydrodynamics. This project involves the use of computer codes designed for massively-parallel computing, thousands of computers tied together into one cluster, to tackle difficult hydrodynamic problems that occur in stars. We will train PhD students in this area of cutting-edge computation, with applications in areas such as meteorology, aero-space and defence. The skills gained by the participants in this proj ....The next generation of stellar models: incorporating the results of multidimensional hydrodynamics. This project involves the use of computer codes designed for massively-parallel computing, thousands of computers tied together into one cluster, to tackle difficult hydrodynamic problems that occur in stars. We will train PhD students in this area of cutting-edge computation, with applications in areas such as meteorology, aero-space and defence. The skills gained by the participants in this project will be useful over a wide range of areas in the modern economy of the nation.Read moreRead less
Super-AGB Stars: the Missing Link? By being the first to investigate a specific class of stars, Australia will also be the first to reap the scientific rewards from the many applications that will follow - including the chemical history of
the Galaxy and how globular clusters form. We will also develop large-scale computing tools using the latest in cluster computing technology to study the multi-dimensional character of a special class
of supernova explosion. We extend a fruitful collaboratio ....Super-AGB Stars: the Missing Link? By being the first to investigate a specific class of stars, Australia will also be the first to reap the scientific rewards from the many applications that will follow - including the chemical history of
the Galaxy and how globular clusters form. We will also develop large-scale computing tools using the latest in cluster computing technology to study the multi-dimensional character of a special class
of supernova explosion. We extend a fruitful collaboration with a super-computer centre in the US and also train graduate students in advanced computing techniques for Australia's future, in both science and other applications and technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346856
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$950,000.00
Summary
High Performance Computing Infrastructure Upgrade. The aim of the High Performance Computing Facility is to operate a world class facility as measured by both computational power and client satisfaction. This proposal seeks to increase the current computational power of the existing Victorian High Performance Compting Facility by doubling the current capacity. The combination of a large number of very fast processors and a very fast interconnect makes this facility ideal for modelling and solv ....High Performance Computing Infrastructure Upgrade. The aim of the High Performance Computing Facility is to operate a world class facility as measured by both computational power and client satisfaction. This proposal seeks to increase the current computational power of the existing Victorian High Performance Compting Facility by doubling the current capacity. The combination of a large number of very fast processors and a very fast interconnect makes this facility ideal for modelling and solving science and engineering problems beyond the scope of installed HPC systems. The facility will be linked to other HPC systems in Victoria and across Australia to create an evolving cluster computing "meta-centre" that links computing resources together.
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Deciphering the early Solar System chronology and planetary chemistry using isotope systematics of meteoritic zircon. This project addresses the early evolution of our Solar System that is one of the most important questions in Earth and Planetary sciences. It will use Australia's meteorites and innovative analytical techniques developed in Australia. High impact scientific results produced in this project will be to the national benefit in terms of international recognition of our unique capabi ....Deciphering the early Solar System chronology and planetary chemistry using isotope systematics of meteoritic zircon. This project addresses the early evolution of our Solar System that is one of the most important questions in Earth and Planetary sciences. It will use Australia's meteorites and innovative analytical techniques developed in Australia. High impact scientific results produced in this project will be to the national benefit in terms of international recognition of our unique capability in this high profile and competitive research field. Furthermore, by providing new constraints on the initial state of geochemical evolution of the terrestrial planets, this work will further our knowledge of the subsequent evolution of the Earth's mantle and crust, leading to better models for Australian continent development and its deep-Earth resources.Read moreRead less
Formation of Supermassive Black Holes. One of the most remarkable discoveries in astronomy is the observation that supermassive black holes, weighing as much as a billion suns, are found in the centers of galaxies, including our own Milky Way. Astronomers do not understand how these black holes came to be, or their role in the evolution of galaxies. This Discovery Project will address these issues by analysing data on supermassive black holes from the local and early universes. Black holes fasci ....Formation of Supermassive Black Holes. One of the most remarkable discoveries in astronomy is the observation that supermassive black holes, weighing as much as a billion suns, are found in the centers of galaxies, including our own Milky Way. Astronomers do not understand how these black holes came to be, or their role in the evolution of galaxies. This Discovery Project will address these issues by analysing data on supermassive black holes from the local and early universes. Black holes fascinate students both young and old. This Discovery Project will train a new generation of young Australian astronomers at the leading edge of astrophysics.
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Collaboration with The NANTEN2 International Star Formation Consortium. Through this collaboration Australia, for a very modest sum, will gain its first direct access to the astronomical facilities of the Atacama plateau, one of the best sites for investigating star formation on the Earth. The project fosters international collaboration, and raises the profile of Australian science and facilities by bringing together astronomers from Australia, Japan, Germany, Korea, Chile and Switzerland.The co ....Collaboration with The NANTEN2 International Star Formation Consortium. Through this collaboration Australia, for a very modest sum, will gain its first direct access to the astronomical facilities of the Atacama plateau, one of the best sites for investigating star formation on the Earth. The project fosters international collaboration, and raises the profile of Australian science and facilities by bringing together astronomers from Australia, Japan, Germany, Korea, Chile and Switzerland.The collaborations formed during this project will enable Australian scientists future access to new front-line telescopes such as the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), due to commence operations in 2010. Read moreRead less