The morphological evolution of galaxies over cosmic time. Present-day galaxies look either red and round or blue and disc-like; this project will study galaxies that existed when the universe was one quarter its present age to understand how these different structures came about. To do this, the project will use a new high resolution near-infrared camera built at The Australian National University.
Interstellar Physics at the Epoch of Galaxy Formation. With large telescopes and major space observatories, we can finally reach back in time and see how galaxies were assembled in the first few billion years of our Universe. We need to determine how gas forms into stars, how massive black holes feed on and interact with their nascent galaxies, how heavy elements are produced, and how dust obscuration or re-radiation affects observations. This proposal brings a world-class team together to devel ....Interstellar Physics at the Epoch of Galaxy Formation. With large telescopes and major space observatories, we can finally reach back in time and see how galaxies were assembled in the first few billion years of our Universe. We need to determine how gas forms into stars, how massive black holes feed on and interact with their nascent galaxies, how heavy elements are produced, and how dust obscuration or re-radiation affects observations. This proposal brings a world-class team together to develop and apply new and unique pan-spectral tools based on physical models of the interstellar plasma and conceived to determine fundamental parameters of collapsing galaxies.Read moreRead less
The First Deep Infrared Study of the Nearby Galaxy Population. We will conduct two major near-infrared (IR) surveys: The Southern Galactic Cap near-IR survey, and the Local Sphere of Influence survey. These surveys will capitalise on the innovative and award winning Australian IRIS2 facility. The two surveys push the observational frontier by orders of magnitude. They will be used to explore the close connection between the near-IR global properties of a galaxy and its underlying physics and pro ....The First Deep Infrared Study of the Nearby Galaxy Population. We will conduct two major near-infrared (IR) surveys: The Southern Galactic Cap near-IR survey, and the Local Sphere of Influence survey. These surveys will capitalise on the innovative and award winning Australian IRIS2 facility. The two surveys push the observational frontier by orders of magnitude. They will be used to explore the close connection between the near-IR global properties of a galaxy and its underlying physics and provide a generic local reference for the upcoming next generation infrared space-telescope missions.
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Particle astrophysics with the Pierre Auger observatory. Australia's scientific reputation is enhanced through participation in international collaborations that aim to solve long-standing mysteries in science. The Pierre Auger Observatory covers a huge 3000 square km in western Argentina, where we are attempting to solve one of the biggest puzzles in modern astrophysics - the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, particles 100 million times more energetic than we can produce on Earth. Ade ....Particle astrophysics with the Pierre Auger observatory. Australia's scientific reputation is enhanced through participation in international collaborations that aim to solve long-standing mysteries in science. The Pierre Auger Observatory covers a huge 3000 square km in western Argentina, where we are attempting to solve one of the biggest puzzles in modern astrophysics - the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, particles 100 million times more energetic than we can produce on Earth. Adelaide scientists were founding members of the Auger project, and now have leading roles within the experiment. This is providing our students with access to world-class facilities and researchers in a field which has moved to the mainstream of astrophysics research.Read moreRead less
Dying stars, mass loss and the creation of the elements. This project aims to observationally estimate the mass loss rates and the surface chemical enrichments exhibited by low and intermediate-mass stars during their final evolutionary stages. The study has become possible because of new telescopes and instruments just arrived or imminently to arrive. Another part of the project is to use the observations to calibrate theoretical models for the evolution of dying stars. Such models are requi ....Dying stars, mass loss and the creation of the elements. This project aims to observationally estimate the mass loss rates and the surface chemical enrichments exhibited by low and intermediate-mass stars during their final evolutionary stages. The study has become possible because of new telescopes and instruments just arrived or imminently to arrive. Another part of the project is to use the observations to calibrate theoretical models for the evolution of dying stars. Such models are required for an understanding of the chemical enrichment of the universe from the time of first star formation to the present.
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Galactic Origins: The Milky Way Globular Cluster - Halo Connection. Our world-class international team will measure the motions and chemical compositions of ancient clusters and stellar streams within the halo of our Milky Way galaxy to understand the newly discovered inner and outer components and the manner in which they formed. These results will stimulate public interest in the natural sciences. We shall access the world's largest telescopes, and participate in SEGUE (Sloan Extension for G ....Galactic Origins: The Milky Way Globular Cluster - Halo Connection. Our world-class international team will measure the motions and chemical compositions of ancient clusters and stellar streams within the halo of our Milky Way galaxy to understand the newly discovered inner and outer components and the manner in which they formed. These results will stimulate public interest in the natural sciences. We shall access the world's largest telescopes, and participate in SEGUE (Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Evolution) to a monetary value of several million dollars. We shall train the next generation of researchers in cutting-edge science, enhancing their skills in problem solving, project management and effective communication.Read moreRead less
Galactic Nuclei; How Old, How Massive, and How Active? Australia's Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) will be used on the Gemini North 8 m telescope in Hawaii to study the mass, age, and activity of the nuclei of nearby galaxies at high spatial resolution. Many nearby galaxies contain massive nuclear black holes. Understanding processes occurring near these black holes will shed light on how galaxies evolve and how massive black holes continue to interact with their surroundings. T ....Galactic Nuclei; How Old, How Massive, and How Active? Australia's Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) will be used on the Gemini North 8 m telescope in Hawaii to study the mass, age, and activity of the nuclei of nearby galaxies at high spatial resolution. Many nearby galaxies contain massive nuclear black holes. Understanding processes occurring near these black holes will shed light on how galaxies evolve and how massive black holes continue to interact with their surroundings. This is the NIFS core science program. It will use guaranteed telescope time granted to the instrument team. NIFS is an innovative new near-infrared spectrograph designed and constructed in Australia.Read moreRead less
Atomic Hydrogen through Cosmic Time: Steps to the Square Kilometre Array. Understanding how primal hydrogen clouds evolve into modern-day galaxies is a main science goal of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the next-generation international radio telescope, which is likely to be sited in Australia. As steps toward the design of SKA, we propose a three-pronged strategy that will enable hydrogen gas to be traced through cosmic time: (1) pushing the limits of current technology to detect faint glob ....Atomic Hydrogen through Cosmic Time: Steps to the Square Kilometre Array. Understanding how primal hydrogen clouds evolve into modern-day galaxies is a main science goal of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the next-generation international radio telescope, which is likely to be sited in Australia. As steps toward the design of SKA, we propose a three-pronged strategy that will enable hydrogen gas to be traced through cosmic time: (1) pushing the limits of current technology to detect faint global signals from the first structures in the infant Universe, (2) novel hardware and software development to mitigate the confusing signals from human radio interference, and (3) international participation in logistical development of SKA.
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Star Formation and Gas Consumption in High Redshift Galaxies. The research addresses fundamental issues in the nature of the Universe and how our present world came to be. The spirit of exploration is contagious, and Australia's successes in astronomy are a source of national pride.
Observations of hydrogen gas have long been recognised as a key to following galaxy formation and evolution, and they are a key driver for building the Square Kilometre Array telescope, a project which could be si ....Star Formation and Gas Consumption in High Redshift Galaxies. The research addresses fundamental issues in the nature of the Universe and how our present world came to be. The spirit of exploration is contagious, and Australia's successes in astronomy are a source of national pride.
Observations of hydrogen gas have long been recognised as a key to following galaxy formation and evolution, and they are a key driver for building the Square Kilometre Array telescope, a project which could be sited in Australia. The SKA project is a multi-billion dollar project, which would bring international recognition and prestige. Development of the scientific expertise to motivate this project is an important part of establishing Australia's leadership role.Read moreRead less
The Southern Sky Survey. The Southern Sky Survey will make significant, high profile discoveries in Astronomy ranging from understanding objects like Pluto, to discovering the first black holes in the distant Universe. These breakthroughs will capture the imagination of potential young scientists and technologists, and will lead Australians to undertaking studies in these vital areas. To achieve our discoveries, we will create and serve Australia's largest publicly available database.This will c ....The Southern Sky Survey. The Southern Sky Survey will make significant, high profile discoveries in Astronomy ranging from understanding objects like Pluto, to discovering the first black holes in the distant Universe. These breakthroughs will capture the imagination of potential young scientists and technologists, and will lead Australians to undertaking studies in these vital areas. To achieve our discoveries, we will create and serve Australia's largest publicly available database.This will create economic and scientific benefits by training a significant number of young Australians in using massive data sets, data manipulation, and problem solving. Read moreRead less