ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3722-3091
Current Organisation
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
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In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Astronomical and Space Sciences | Galactic Astronomy | Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy | Astronomical and Space Instrumentation | Astronomy And Astrophysics | High Energy Astrophysics; Cosmic Rays | Astrobiology | Tropospheric and Stratospheric Physics | Stellar Astronomy and Planetary Systems | Instruments And Techniques
Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences | Physical sciences | Higher education | Expanding Knowledge in Technology | Scientific instrumentation | Education and Training Systems not elsewhere classified | Education and Training not elsewhere classified | Earth sciences |
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-02-2013
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STT061
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1071/AS08048
Abstract: PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects ided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1071/AS08049
Abstract: PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. The atmospheric conditions at Dome C deliver a high sensitivity, high photometric precision, wide-field, high spatial resolution, and high-cadence imaging capability to the PILOT telescope. These capabilities enable a unique scientific potential for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents a series of projects dealing with the distant (redshift ) Universe, that have been identified as key science drivers for the PILOT facility. The potential for PILOT to detect the first populations of stars to form in the early Universe, via infrared projects searching for pair-instability supernovae and gamma-ray burst afterglows, is investigated. Two projects are proposed to examine the assembly and evolution of structure in the Universe: an infrared survey searching for the first evolved galaxies at high redshift, and an optical survey aimed at characterising moderate-redshift galaxy clusters. Finally, a large-area weak-lensing survey and a program to obtain supernova infrared light-curves are proposed to examine the nature and evolution of dark energy and dark matter.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1017/PASA.2016.38
Abstract: The high Antarctic plateau provides exceptional conditions for infrared observations on account of the cold, dry and stable atmosphere above the ice surface. This paper describes the scientific goals behind the first program to examine the time-varying universe in the infrared from Antarctica — the Kunlun Infrared Sky Survey (KISS). This will employ a 50cm telescope to monitor the southern skies in the 2.4μm K dark window from China's Kunlun station at Dome A, on the summit of the Antarctic plateau, through the uninterrupted 4-month period of winter darkness. An earlier paper discussed optimisation of the K dark filter for sensitivity (Li et al. 2016). This paper examines the scientific program for KISS. We calculate the sensitivity of the camera for the extrema of observing conditions that will be encountered. We present the parameters for s le surveys that could then be carried out for a range of cadences and sensitivities. We then discuss several science programs that could be conducted with these capabilities, involving star formation, brown dwarfs and hot Jupiters, exoplanets around M dwarfs, the terminal phases of stellar evolution, fast transients, embedded supernova searches, reverberation mapping of AGN, gamma ray bursts and the detection of the cosmic infrared background.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 14-07-2016
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1017/PASA.2018.18
Abstract: We present observations of 50 deg 2 of the Mopra carbon monoxide (CO) survey of the Southern Galactic Plane, covering Galactic longitudes l = 300–350° and latitudes | b | ⩽ 0.5°. These data have been taken at 0.6 arcmin spatial resolution and 0.1 km s −1 spectral resolution, providing an unprecedented view of the molecular clouds and gas of the Southern Galactic Plane in the 109–115 GHz J = 1–0 transitions of 12 CO, 13 CO, C 18 O, and C 17 O. We present a series of velocity-integrated maps, spectra, and position-velocity plots that illustrate Galactic arm structures and trace masses on the order of ~10 6 M ⊙ deg −2 , and include a preliminary catalogue of C 18 O clumps located between l = 330–340°. Together with the information about the noise statistics of the survey, these data can be retrieved from the Mopra CO website and the PASA data store.
Publisher: Author(s)
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1063/1.4968938
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-04-2011
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1017/PASA.2019.7
Abstract: We investigate the interstellar medium towards seven TeV gamma-ray sources thought to be pulsar wind nebulae using Mopra molecular line observations at 7 mm [CS(1–0), SiO(1–0, v = 0)], Nanten CO(1–0) data and the Southern Galactic Plane Survey/GASS H i survey. We have discovered several dense molecular clouds co-located to these TeV gamma-ray sources, which allows us to search for cosmic rays coming from progenitor SNRs or, potentially, from pulsar wind nebulae. We notably found SiO(1–0, v = 0) emission towards HESS J1809–193, highlighting possible interaction between the adjacent supernova remnant SNR G011.0–0.0 and the molecular cloud at d ∼ 3.7 kpc. Using morphological features, and comparative studies of our column densities with those obtained from X-ray measurements, we claim a distance d ∼ 8.6 − 9.7kpc for SNR G292.2–00.5, d ∼ 3.5 − 5.6 kpc for PSR J1418–6058 and d ∼ 1.5 kpc for the new SNR candidate found towards HESS J1303–631. From our mass and density estimates of selected molecular clouds, we discuss signatures of hadronic/leptonic components from pulsar wind nebulae and their progenitor SNRs. Interestingly, the molecular gas, which overlaps HESS J1026–582 at d ∼ 5 kpc, may support a hadronic origin. We find however that this scenario requires an undetected cosmic-ray accelerator to be located at d 10 pc from the molecular cloud. For HESS J1809–193, the cosmic rays which have escaped SNR G011.0–0.0 could contribute to the TeV gamma-ray emission. Finally, from the hypothesis that at most 20% the pulsar spin down power could be converted into CRs, we find that among the studied pulsar wind nebulae, only those from PSR J1809–1917 could potentially contribute to the TeV emission.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 16-03-1999
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 02-11-2011
Publisher: AIP
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1063/1.4772245
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1017/PASA.2015.20
Abstract: We present observations of the first 10° of longitude in the Mopra CO survey of the southern Galactic plane, covering Galactic longitude l = 320–330° and latitude b = ±0.5°, and l = 327–330°, b = +0.5–1.0°. These data have been taken at 35-arcsec spatial resolution and 0.1 km s −1 spectral resolution, providing an unprecedented view of the molecular clouds and gas of the southern Galactic plane in the 109–115 GHz J = 1–0 transitions of 12 CO, 13 CO, C 18 O, and C 17 O. Together with information about the noise statistics from the Mopra telescope, these data can be retrieved from the Mopra CO website and the CSIRO-ATNF data archive.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-05-2011
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 05-05-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.04.490594
Abstract: Several major migrations and population turnover events during the later Stone Age (after c. 11,000 cal. BP) are believed to have shaped the contemporary population genetic ersity in Eurasia. While the genetic impacts of these migrations have been investigated on regional scales, a detailed understanding of their spatiotemporal dynamics both within and between major geographic regions across Northern Eurasia remains largely elusive. Here, we present the largest shotgun-sequenced genomic dataset from the Stone Age to date, representing 317 primarily Mesolithic and Neolithic in iduals from across Eurasia, with associated radiocarbon dates, stable isotope data, and pollen records. Using recent advances, we imputed ,600 ancient genomes to obtain accurate diploid genotypes, enabling previously unachievable fine-grained population structure inferences. We show that 1) Eurasian Mesolitic hunter-gatherers were more genetically erse than previously known, and deeply ergent between the west and the east 2) Hitherto genetically undescribed hunter-gatherers from the Middle Don region contributed significant ancestry to the later Yamnaya steppe pastoralists 3) The genetic impact of the transition from Mesolithic hunter-gatherers to Neolithic farmers was highly distinct, east and west of a “Great Divide” boundary zone extending from the Black Sea to the Baltic, with large-scale shifts in genetic ancestry to the west. This include an almost complete replacement of hunter-gatherers in Denmark, but no substantial shifts during the same period further to the east 4) Within-group relatedness changes substantially during the Neolithic transition in the west, where clusters of Neolithic farmer-associated in iduals show overall reduced relatedness, while genetic relatedness remains high until ~4,000 BP in the east, consistent with a much longer persistence of smaller localised hunter-gatherer groups 5) A fast-paced second major genetic transformation beginning around 5,000 BP, with Steppe-related ancestry reaching most parts of Europe within a 1,000 years span. Local Neolithic farmers admixed with incoming pastoralists in most parts of Europe, whereas Scandinavia experienced another near-complete population replacement, with similar dramatic turnover-patterns also evident in western Siberia 6) Extensive regional differences in the ancestry components related to these early events remain visible to this day, even within countries (research conducted using the UK Biobank resource). Neolithic farmer ancestry is highest in southern and eastern England while Steppe-related ancestry is highest in the Celtic populations of Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. Overall, our findings show that although the Stone-Age migrations have been important in shaping contemporary genetic ersity in Eurasia, their dynamics and impact were geographically highly heterogeneous.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-03-2012
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-05-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-08-2015
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-04-2017
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STX887
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 21-02-2019
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 02-11-2007
Publisher: WORLD SCIENTIFIC
Date: 26-02-2018
DOI: 10.1142/10986
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 31-01-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.01.27.477466
Abstract: Although Brazil was inhabited by more than 3,000 Indigenous populations prior to European colonization, today’s Indigenous peoples represent less than 1% of Brazil’s census population. Some of the decimated communities belonged to the so-called “Botocudos” from central-eastern Brazil. These peoples are thought to represent a case of long-standing genetic continuity bearing a strong craniometric resemblance to that of the oldest Indigenous Americans (“Paleoamericans”). Yet, little is known about their origins and genetic relationship to other Native Americans, as only two “Botocudo” genomes have been sequenced so far and those were surprisingly of Polynesian ancestry. To deepen our knowledge on the genomic history of pre-contact Indigenous Americans and the pathogens they were exposed to, we carbon-dated and sequenced 24 ancient Brazilians (including 22 “Botocudos”) whose remains were hosted at the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro and recovered prior to the tragic 2018 fire. The resulting genomes’ depth of coverage ranged from 0.001× to 24×. Their genetic ancestry was found to be Indigenous American without gene flow from external populations such as Europeans, Africans or Polynesians. Unlike Mesoamericans, the “Botocudos” and Amazonians do not seem to have experienced a population expansion once in the Americas. Moreover, remarkably, their genomes exhibit amongst the lowest levels of heterozygosity worldwide and long runs of homozygosity, which could be explained by unique social practices or a very small effective size. Finally, whole genomes of likely ancient pathogens were recovered, including lineages of Human parvovirus B19 that were possibly introduced after the European contact. To better understand the genetic relationship among Indigenous populations in Brazil, we sequenced the genomes of 24 ancient in iduals (22 of which labelled as “Botocudos”, a term used to describe hunter-gatherer tribes) whose remains were hosted at the Museu Nacional of Rio de Janeiro prior to the tragic fire that consumed it in 2018. Unlike two previously published “Botocudo” genomes, the 22 “Botocudos” from this study have Indigenous American-related ancestry without any Polynesian-related ancestry, and they are similarly related to several Native Brazilian populations. Finally, unlike Eurasian hunter-gatherers, the “Botocudos” exhibit among the lowest heterozygosity and longest runs of homozygosity worldwide – compatible with a very small effective size and suggesting a unique social structure among hunter-gatherers in the Americas.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1017/PASA.2013.35
Abstract: We present results from a Mopra 7 mm-wavelength survey that targeted the dense gas-tracing CS(1-0) transition towards the young γ-ray-bright supernova remnant, RX J1713.7–3946 (SNR G 347.3−0.5). In a hadronic γ-ray emission scenario, where cosmic ray (CR) protons interact with gas to produce the observed γ-ray emission, the mass of potential CR target material is an important factor. We summarise newly discovered dense gas components, towards Cores G and L, and Clumps N1, N2, N3, and T1, which have masses of 1 – 10 4 M ⊙ . We argue that these components are not likely to contribute significantly to γ-ray emission in a hadronic γ-ray emission scenario. This would be the case if RX J1713.7–3946 were at either the currently favoured distance of ~1 kpc or an alternate distance (as suggested in some previous studies) of ~6 kpc. This survey also targeted the shock-tracing SiO molecule. Although no SiO emission corresponding to the RX J1713.7–3946 shock was observed, vibrationally excited SiO(1-0) maser emission was discovered towards what may be an evolved star. Observations taken 1 yr apart confirmed a transient nature, since the intensity, line-width, and central velocity of SiO(J = 1-0,v = 1,2) emission varied significantly.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 10-2003
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2012
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-1994
DOI: 10.1017/S1323358000019809
Abstract: Our knowledge of the universe comes from recording the photon and particle fluxes incident on the Earth from space. We thus require sensitive measurement across the entire energy spectrum, using large telescopes with efficient instrumentation located on superb sites. Technological advances and engineering constraints are nearing the point where we are recording as many photons arriving at a site as is possible. Major advances in the future will come from improving the quality of the site. The ultimate site is, of course, beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, such as on the Moon, but economic limitations prevent our exploiting this avenue to the degree that the scientific community desires. Here we describe an alternative, which offers many of the advantages of space for a fraction of the cost: the Antarctic Plateau.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 1998
DOI: 10.1071/AS98228
Abstract: We describe the specifications, characteristics, calibration, and analysis of data from the University of New South Wales Infrared Fabry–Perot (UNSWIRF) etalon. UNSWIRF is a near-infrared tunable imaging spectrometer, used primarily in conjunction with IRIS on the AAT, but suitable for use as a visitor instrument at other telescopes. The etalon delivers a resolving power in excess of 4000 (corresponding to a velocity resolution ∼75 km s −1 ), and allows imaging of fields up to 100″ in diameter on the AAT at any wavelength between 1·5 and 2·4 μ m for which suitable blocking filters are available.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-07-2013
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1071/AS01007
Abstract: The Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) will beAustralia’s first Gemini instrument. NIFS is a near-infrared, imaging spectrograph that will be used with the ALTAIR facility adaptive optics system on Gemini North to perform near-diffraction-limited imaging spectroscopy over a 3·0″ × 3·0″ field of view with 0·1″ wide slitlets and a spectral resolving power of ˜5300. NIFS will operate in the wavelength range from 0·94–2·50 µm where ALTAIR delivers its greatest gains. Its primary purpose is to study moderate-surface-brightness structures around discrete objects that are revealed at high spatial resolution by ALTAIR. NIFS will address a wide range of science from studies of Galactic star formation and the Galactic centre to the nature of disk galaxies at z ˜ 1. Studies of the demographics of massive black holes in galactic nuclei and studies of the excitation conditions in the inner narrow-line regions of Seyfert galaxies have been identified as two core NIFS programs. These and other science drivers for NIFS are discussed.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-11-2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-2010
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921310011294
Abstract: Several lines of evidence suggest that planet formation may be well underway within the circumstellar disk of the enigmatic Herbig Be star HD100546, including a cleared inner cavity, spiral structure, and similar dust mineralogy as seen in our own solar system. To learn more about the processes occurring in this disk we have conducted a multi-frequency observing program with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA).
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-07-2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AS04037
Abstract: We examine the historical development of astrophysical science in Antarctica from the early 20th century until today. We find three temporally overlapping eras, each having a rather distinct beginning. These are the astrogeological era of meteorite discovery, the high energy era of particle detectors, and the photon astronomy era of microwave, submillimetre, and infrared telescopes, sidelined by a few niche experiments at optical wavelengths. The favourable atmospheric and geophysical conditions are briefly examined, followed by an account of the major experiments and a summary of their results.
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 09-08-2016
DOI: 10.1117/12.2233317
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 21-08-1998
DOI: 10.1117/12.317242
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AS04077
Abstract: The cold, dry, and stable air above the summits of the Antarctic plateau provides the best ground-based observing conditions from optical to sub-millimetre wavelengths to be found on the Earth. Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope (PILOT) is a proposed 2 m telescope, to be built at Dome C in Antarctica, able to exploit these conditions for conducting astronomy at optical and infrared wavelengths. While PILOT is intended as a pathfinder towards the construction of future grand-design facilities, it will also be able to undertake a range of fundamental science investigations in its own right. This paper provides the performance specifications for PILOT, including its instrumentation. It then describes the kinds of projects that it could best conduct. These range from planetary science to the search for other solar systems, from star formation within the Galaxy to the star formation history of the Universe, and from gravitational lensing caused by exo-planets to that produced by the cosmic web of dark matter. PILOT would be particularly powerful for wide-field imaging at infrared wavelengths, achieving near diffraction-limited performance with simple tip–tilt wavefront correction. PILOT would also be capable of near diffraction-limited performance in the optical wavebands, as well be able to open new wavebands for regular ground-based observation, in the mid-IR from 17 to 40 μm and in the sub-millimetre at 200 μm.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Start Date: 03-2010
End Date: 02-2011
Amount: $200,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 11-2021
End Date: 10-2025
Amount: $1,680,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 07-2017
End Date: 07-2023
Amount: $1,390,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 06-2015
End Date: 12-2017
Amount: $760,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2015
End Date: 12-2015
Amount: $270,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 04-2012
End Date: 07-2018
Amount: $750,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 12-2011
End Date: 12-2012
Amount: $150,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 07-2003
End Date: 12-2006
Amount: $193,035.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 03-2008
End Date: 12-2011
Amount: $201,224.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 07-2007
End Date: 03-2011
Amount: $100,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2008
End Date: 12-2010
Amount: $50,400.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 05-2013
End Date: 09-2017
Amount: $330,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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