ATNF Summer Vacation Projects 2005
The following projects are available for the 2005 Summer Vacation Program. Please indicate your first four project choices in order of preference on your application form.
Project A: Investigating the black hole at the centre of the galaxy NGC 3079
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: At the centre of the galaxy NGC 3079 is a black hole with a mass of several million suns. Water in gas clouds around the black hole forms powerful masers (the microwave equivalent to lasers). These masers are an excellent beacon for studying the kinematics of the gas very close to the black hole. We have recently obtained data towards the centre of NGC 3079 using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). VLBI uses simultaneous observations with many radio telescopes separated by thousands of kilometres, to make radio images with extremely high spatial resolution. The new data include emission from the masers. Your task would be to analyse these data and carry out background research on NGC 3079 and the physics of black holes at the centre of galaxies.
Project B: The Intensity Distributions of Pulses from Millisecond Pulsars
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics/Mathematics
Location: Sydney
Description: Pulsars are a kind of "astrophysical lighthouse", sending out a rotating beam of radiation observable as a periodic sequence of "flashes" (pulses). The radiation originates in a complex plasma stream that is variable on time scales ranging from nanoseconds to hours. This variability has been recently revisited in the context of Stochastic Growth Theory and Self-Organised Criticality, which ties together diverse non-linear phenomena from earthquakes and avalanches to traffic jams and stock markets. An opportunity exists for a student to investigate the intensity distribution of pulses from the class of millisecond pulsars, using data from the ATNF 64-m Parkes radio telescope. Some experience with one or more of C, C++, Java, Fortran, IDL, or similar would be useful.
Project C: What is the structure of the interstellar medium?
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: The radio waves we receive from pulsars are affected by their travel through the interstellar medium - the gas between the stars. The analysis of pulsar data can therefore give us information about the interstellar medium. We have recently developed software to enable us to study these effects in more detail. Your job would be to analyse real pulsar data to determine the properties of the interstellar medium. At the same time you will generate a model interstellar medium and some "fake" data and see how well this compares to the real data. A knowledge of programming (C, Fortran or IDL) will be necessary.
Project D: The space motion of radio pulsars
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: The observed motion of a pulsar through space is a combination of its true velocity, the general rotation of stars around the centre of our Galaxy and the gravitational potential in which it moves. We have recently obtained data which shows that the velocity vector of a pulsar points in the same direction as its rotation axis. This is a surprising results which has implications for the death throes of massive stars. The project involves analysing new data as well as simulating the motion of pulsars through the Galaxy in order to understand the largest source of error in the data. Some knowledge of programming (C or Fortran) would be useful.
Project E: Mapping the Solar corona using pulsars
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: We can study our own Sun by observing the distant pulsar PSR J1022+1001. At certain times of the year this pulsar appears to lie behind the Sun, creating a line-of-sight that passes directly through the Sun's atmosphere. Properties of the solar wind and the solar corona can be deduced from the change in the shape and intensity of individual pulses from the pulsar at these times. We have a series of datasets at different wavelengths that have been collected over two years towards PSR J1022+1001. Your job would be to analyse these data and deduce fundamental properties of the Sun's atmosphere such as the mean electron density.
Project F: Simulating the effects of gravitational waves on pulsar timing residuals
Discipline: Computing/Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: It is likely that, within the next 10 years, gravitational waves will be directly detected using pulsars. We need to analyse in detail the effects of a single gravitational wave source (from a supermassive binary black hole system) on an ensemble of pulsars spread over the sky. Initial work has been completed and a computer simulation has been developed. However, this simulation needs to be tested in detail and techniques need to be developed to extract details of the gravitational wave source from the observed features in the pulsar signal. We are looking for a student interested in developing this computer software and developing analysis techniques that will be applied to real pulsar observations.
Project G: Creating a database of pulse arrival times
Discipline: Computing/Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: We are looking for a person with proficiency in web programming and an interest in astrophysics. Pulsar research is often carried out by analysing pulse arrival times. An individual pulsar may have hundreds of arrival times dating back over 10 years and more. These arrival times are used to detect gravity waves, timing noise, starquakes and other exotic phenomena. A new gamma-ray satellite will be launched shortly and should detect many gamma-ray pulsars if we can provide accurate timing. As a result, we need to develop a web-based database that provides easy access to the timing data. Your job would be to develop this database, learn lots about pulsar timing and provide a useful tool for astronomers world-wide.
Project H: Implementing the fringe-rate method for VLBI
Discipline: Astrophysics/Physics/Computing/Mathematics
Location: Narrabri
Description: Very Large Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) involves multiple radio telescopes in continents across the globe, all used simultaneously to measure celestial positions of exceptional accuracy. VLBI measurements of spectral emission lines are a powerful method to trace the detailed kinematics of objects in our Galaxy. In an effort to optimise the positional accuracy of spectral-line data, a new data algorithm has been developed called the "fringe-rate" method. Your task is to implement this algorithm in a software tool that can be used by astronomers dealing with spectral-line VLBI data. You will gain an appreciation of VLBI techniques using both real data from the European VLBI Network and numerical simulations. Knowledge of C++ is highly desirable.
Project I: New Technology Demonstrator Telescope Testing
Discipline: Computing/Astrophysics/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: ATNF is building a New Technology Demonstrator telescope to test out some of the key technology required for the next generation of radio telescopes. The telescope location is the ATNF Headquarters in Marsfield, Sydney. By the end of October, we will have a focal plane array (a multi-pixel "radio camera") ready for testing. Your job is to help with the very first measurements on this very hands-on and novel telescope. Bring a keen interest in measurements and some experience with Linux and help us understand this path to the future of radio telescopes.
Project J: eXtended New Technology Demonstrator Telescope Simulations
Discipline: Computing/Astrophysics/Physics/Mathematics
Location: Sydney
Description: ATNF is planning an "extended New Technology Demonstrator telescope" to be sited in Mileura, Western Australia. The xNTD will be a major step along the path to a new generation of radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array. We are currently simulating the performance of various possible designs for the xNTD. This project requires a good level of comfort in using computers and some understanding of the basics of Fourier Transforms.
Project K: Radio frequency interference and interferometry
Discipline: Engineering/Physics/Astrophysics
Location: Narrabri
Description: Radio astronomy observing with an interferometer array is inherently more robust to radio frequency interference (RFI) than a single dish antenna. An unfortunate corollary of this is that the response of an interferometer to RFI is far more complex. With increases in the use of the radio spectrum coupled with the new generation of radio telescopes, RFI is a prime issue. The aim of this project is to perform some analytical and simulation studies of RFI on interferometers with an emphasis on the Australia Telescope Compact Array and its environment. Your job would entail some hands-on work with RF equipment to make comparisons of these "theoretical" results with experimentally measured RFI levels from test sources at a variety of locations at the observatory and under different observing set-ups.
Project L: Characterisation of microwave absorber at cryogenic temperatures
Discipline: Engineering
Location: Sydney
Description: We are looking for a student interested in characterizing microwave materials at millimetre wave frequencies (30-100 GHz), at cryogenic temperatures. Microwave absorbers are used in some microwave amplifiers to suppress oscillations and reduce gain outside the band of use. New types of absorbers have recently been made available from suppliers. The product descriptions of some of these new absorbers suggest they can be used at millimetre-wave frequencies. However, the data sheets give specifications up to much lower frequencies. Your job would be to test the new types of microwave absorber, at both room temperature and cryogenic temperatures. Theoretical performance will be derived from manufacturers data and compared with that measured.
Project M: The Passive Antenna
Discipline: Engineering
Location: Narrabri
Description: The newest breed of radio telescopes in Australia will be antenna arrays spanning the continent. Many of these will be located in remote "outback" regions and pose a significant challenge for the supply of power and other basic infrastructure. Coupled with environmental friendly practices, this makes it increasingly important to minimise the requirements for power generation and distribution. The aim of this project is to explore energy efficient solutions for the traditional antenna power "consumers" such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), cryogenics and antenna drive systems. The project will use an antenna from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) as a concrete example. Your job would be to analyse the system and identify design options for future 'passive' antennas.
Project N: Analysis of the Radio Frequency Spectrum of the Australian SKA Site
Discipline: Engineering/Computing/Physics
Location: Sydney
Description: Measurements of the Radio Frequency Spectrum at the remote and radio quiet Mileura Station in Western Australia are currently in progress. A solar powered radio receiving trailer with a suite of directional and omni-directional antennas continually monitors the radio spectrum between 20MHz and 26GHz. The characterization of the spectrum is a requirement of the International SKA Project Office in order for Australia to tender a bid for siting the SKA project. Data from the Mileura Station currently accumulates at the rate of 2GBytes/day. Your job would be to analyse these data and present the final results in graphical form. The data analysis would suit a person with intermediate skills in MATLAB.