The physics of planetary creation with the James Webb Space Telescope. This project aims to investigate the physics of solar system assembly. Understanding the origins of the Earth and our Solar System is one of the challenges for contemporary astronomy. By understanding the diverse chemistry and physical conditions on exoplanets, the project aims to directly address the question of if and where life is harbored around distant stars. This project will participate in the 2018 launch of the James ....The physics of planetary creation with the James Webb Space Telescope. This project aims to investigate the physics of solar system assembly. Understanding the origins of the Earth and our Solar System is one of the challenges for contemporary astronomy. By understanding the diverse chemistry and physical conditions on exoplanets, the project aims to directly address the question of if and where life is harbored around distant stars. This project will participate in the 2018 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which will carry an Australian-designed interferometer.Read moreRead less
Massive black holes in the hearts of galaxies. This research will create new insights into the extreme physics of supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies. Using new instrumentation and analysis techniques to measure the polarisation and variability of their radiation, we will develop models for the infall of gas, the structures surrounding black holes and the merger of massive black holes over cosmic time. The new observing modes that we will develop will provide stepping stones to ....Massive black holes in the hearts of galaxies. This research will create new insights into the extreme physics of supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies. Using new instrumentation and analysis techniques to measure the polarisation and variability of their radiation, we will develop models for the infall of gas, the structures surrounding black holes and the merger of massive black holes over cosmic time. The new observing modes that we will develop will provide stepping stones toward the Square Kilometre Array, a multi-billion dollar project from which Australia stands to reap enormous scientific and economic benefit. The major advances that we will deliver will boost Australia's already outstanding track record as a world leader in astronomical discovery.
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The worlds next door: terrestrial exoplanets with the TOLIMAN space mission. This project aims to to explore our nearest neighbour star system, Alpha Centauri, for the first time probing for exoplanets with physical characteristics that resemble those of Earth. The finding of any such world, with the potential to support a biosphere like our own and lying only 4 light-years away, would profoundly alter our view of our place in the universe. The primary outcome of this project will be the design, ....The worlds next door: terrestrial exoplanets with the TOLIMAN space mission. This project aims to to explore our nearest neighbour star system, Alpha Centauri, for the first time probing for exoplanets with physical characteristics that resemble those of Earth. The finding of any such world, with the potential to support a biosphere like our own and lying only 4 light-years away, would profoundly alter our view of our place in the universe. The primary outcome of this project will be the design, construction, launch and operation of a novel and innovative space telescope: the TOLIMAN mission. This profoundly benefits the Australian space and university sectors, partnering them with international agencies to deliver marquee science with global impact: the search for our first stepping stone to interstellar space.Read moreRead less
The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism. This research will significantly advance our understanding of structure and evolution in the Universe, in keeping with Australia's outstanding track record of astronomical discovery. This program will also train students and build research capacity in the frontier area of X-ray astronomy, in which Australia currently has limited expertise. The instrumentation and techniques to be developed will lead to innovative transfers of technology to fields su ....The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism. This research will significantly advance our understanding of structure and evolution in the Universe, in keeping with Australia's outstanding track record of astronomical discovery. This program will also train students and build research capacity in the frontier area of X-ray astronomy, in which Australia currently has limited expertise. The instrumentation and techniques to be developed will lead to innovative transfers of technology to fields such as telecommunications and medical imaging. These new facilities will also serve as vital stepping stones to the Square Kilometre Array, a billion-dollar international project which promises enormous economic, engineering and scientific opportunities for Australia.Read moreRead less
Snap, Crackle, Pop: Opening the Window on the Variable Radio Universe. Time variability is a frontier of discovery in astronomy. We will conduct a comprehensive set of surveys with new radio telescopes and instruments in order to build a full census of bursts, pulses, and flickers in the radio sky. Coupled with rapid follow up observations in the optical, X-ray and gamma-ray bands, these surveys will allow us to probe fundamental physics behind violent and unpredictable behaviour in the Universe ....Snap, Crackle, Pop: Opening the Window on the Variable Radio Universe. Time variability is a frontier of discovery in astronomy. We will conduct a comprehensive set of surveys with new radio telescopes and instruments in order to build a full census of bursts, pulses, and flickers in the radio sky. Coupled with rapid follow up observations in the optical, X-ray and gamma-ray bands, these surveys will allow us to probe fundamental physics behind violent and unpredictable behaviour in the Universe. Our techniques, pipelines, and algorithms will serve as stepping stones for future experiments, and will also have wide applicability to searches for weak signals in noisy data in areas including physics, ecology, medical science, and economics.Read moreRead less
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'.