Since 1988, on behalf of the Australian Government, we develop and operate several world-class radio astronomy observatories, telescopes and data archives that are collectively known as the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF).
We are leaders in radio astronomy and are comprised of specialists who work across operations, research and technology.
Modern radio astronomy has become dependent on robust firmware, sophisticated embedded computing infrastructure, large-scale data archives, real-time processing algorithms and specific expertise. Along with our telescopes, we have a comprehensive range of expertise, spanning from the intricacies of front-end receivers to deploying machine learning algorithms for analysing the vast data volumes contained within our archives to evolving observatory operations to be increasingly autonomous.
Our vision
Enhancements to our facilities are driven by the evolving science cases made possible by the
next generation of telescopes. Upgrades keep ATNF suitable for the wide-ranging science carried out by the global astronomy community. We aim to maximise Australia’s investment in joining and co-hosting the SKA project in part by using the ATNF facilities explicitly to support, extend and complement the SKA telescopes.
In 2024, through consultation we developed a Decadal Plan document, outlining our vision for the next decade. This document is available for download:
Our mission
We are on a mission to develop and operate world-class facilities in radio astronomy:
- Operate the ATNF as a financially viable and user‑focused research facility for the benefit of the Australian and international communities
- Play a key role in the international SKA project, covering in-country operations, science leadership and technology development
- Deliver world-class science through exploitation of our southern location, technological advantages, and comprehensive data resources.
- Develop, apply and commercialise our innovative technologies and big data processing techniques
- Foster a diverse and creative workforce.
Our impact
The ATNF is one of the world’s most advanced radio astronomy facilities:
- We are the only major radio astronomy facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere, offering a unique view of the sky across a broad radio spectrum
- Our data archives are available to researchers all over the world, as well as are complemented by our catalogues, databases and software packages used for obtaining and processing data from our facilities.
- Our experts are involved with the international regulatory bodies that manage uses of the radio spectrum, as part of our ongoing work in mitigating increasing levels of radio frequency interference.
Our facilities
The ATNF includes the Paul Wild Observatory, the Parkes Observatory and the Mopra Observatory in New South Wales, which are home to the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), Murriyang, our Parkes radio telescope, and the Mopra telescope. At Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia, we operate our ASKAP radio telescope.
We manage Australian astronomers’ access to NASA’s Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) and we bring together these antennas with ATCA, Murriyang, Mopra, and others in the southern hemisphere, to form the Long Baseline Array (LBA). Through our research and development program we ensure our telescopes remain world class and support development of other facilities around the world.
We are based across Australia, with offices in Sydney, Perth and Geraldton.
Our user community
Each year the ATNF is used by nearly 1000 astronomers from around 35 countries. Observers use the ATNF without charge in keeping with the general practice of the worldwide astronomy community, in which telescope users from different countries gain reciprocal access to facilities on the basis of merit.
Observing time is awarded to researchers by a Time Assignment Committee (TAC). The TAC is appointed by the Australia Telescope Steering Committee. Telescope users are represented by the Australia Telescope Users Committee.
