FLASH (First Large Absorption Survey in HI), is an ASKAP science survey project that works almost like a flashlight. It looks for areas where the light from bright radio beacons filters through hydrogen gas on its way to us. By analysing how the light has changed on this journey, the FLASH team can uncover characteristics of the gas.
This month, the FLASH team is wrapping up their observing time with our ASKAP radio telescope and entering the next phase of poring over the huge amounts of data.
With hydrogen gas the raw material from which new stars are formed, the completion of these observations is a major milestone in our understanding of galaxy evolution. FLASH is building a significant amount of data about a time in the Universe’s history that we know very little about, 4 to 8 billion years ago.
Members of the FLASH team at the celebration for survey completion, held at Marsfield, Kensington and Geraldton.
FLASH is one of nine international teams using ASKAP for multi-year projects, each aiming to learn something different about the Universe.
As the Wajarri Yamaji are the Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders of the Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, the site of ASKAP, we invited local artists to engage with the projects and produce a painting in response.
Artist Agnes Boddington writes about her FLASH painting: Using my colours and dots helps me understand how the gases move through galaxies and between stars. It also helps me understand how stars and galaxies are formed and shaped.
Download the official FLASH poster in landscape or portrait orientation, produced as part of the celebrations for the completion of the survey’s observations.