AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMY MNRF SYMPOSIUM
ATNF Lecture Theatre, Marsfield
Presentations from the Symposium are now available – see below
This symposium reviewed highlights and progress on the Australian Astronomy MNRF, including Gemini and SKA, and discussed future plans for the MNRF projects.
BACKGROUND
The Australian Astronomy MNRF (Major National Research Facility) was funded in 2002 with the goal of maximising Australia's engagement in next generation telescopes at both radio and optical/infrared wavelengths. To achieve this, it has purchased an additional Australian share of Gemini, and has funded SKA technology development, including upgrades to the ATCA and MOST.
As it approaches the end of its second year of operation, the MNRF board, or AABoM (Australian Astronomy Board of Management), held a joint meeting with the Australian Gemini Steering Committee (AGSC) and the Australian SKA Consortium (ASKAC). This symposium was held in connection with that joint meeting, and was sponsored jointly by AABoM, AGSC, and ASKAC.
PROGRAM
The program included a discussion of the use of the ~$5m of uncommitted Gemini funds, a discussion on the proposed new SKA "New Technology Demonstrator", and about ten science talks from users of Gemini and SKA facilities, and from those engaged in Gemini instrumentation and SKA development. A detailed program, with links to the presentations, is given below.
Facilities were also provided for viewing the transit of Venus.
PROGRAM
Click on the title to open the presentation.
|
Start |
Duration |
Speaker |
Title |
|
1100 |
10 min |
M Cole |
Welcome |
|
1110 |
10 min |
R Norris |
Report on overall MNRF progress & appointment of new MNRF Director |
|
1120 |
15 min |
W Couch |
|
|
1135 |
15 min |
S Ryder |
Age-dating a Starburst: Gemini/CIRPASS Observations of the Core of M83 |
|
1150 |
40 min |
G Da Costa |
|
|
1230 |
60 min |
|
lunch |
|
1330 |
15 min |
P McGregor |
|
|
1345 |
15 min |
D Forbes |
|
|
1400 |
15 min |
M Whiting |
Exploring the line-of-sight environment to a quasar with Gemini |
|
1415 |
15 min |
J Kot |
|
|
1430 |
30 min |
R Norris |
Presentation of proposed new NTD plan, followed by discussion |
|
1500 |
15 min |
W Wilson |
|
|
1515 |
15 min |
A Green |
|
|
1530 |
30 min |
R Hollow |
Transit of Venus |
|
1600 |
15 min |
S Tingay |
|
|
1615 |
15 min |
S Jackson |
|
|
1630 |
15 min |
M Bailes |
CPSR2: A baseband recorder with an in-built supercomputer |
|
1645 |
30 min |
|
Discussion |
Organising Committee:
Ray Norris (MNRF), Gary Da Costa (AGSC),