The CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science is holding the 2010 Radio Astronomy School at the Compact Array, NSW, from Monday 27th September to Friday 1st October 2010. The format of the school will be similar to previous Synthesis Imaging Schools, with a mix of lectures and practical hands-on sessions. Material will be presented by both radio astronomers and engineers. The lectures will cover both single dish telescopes and interferometers, however, the emphasis of this years school will be on interferometry. The intended audience is postgraduate students and other interested researchers. No prior experience with radio astronomy is required. Participants were encouraged to present a poster describing their research.
Key Topics
- Introduction to the Compact Array
- Fundamentals of Radio Astronomy
- Synthesis Imaging
- Scheduling and Performing Observations
- Calibrating Techniques
- Data Reduction and Analysis
- Tools of Radio Astronomy
- Interpreting and Callibrating Polarisation Measurements
- Observations at Millimetre Wavelengths
- Specialised Observing Modes
- Practical Sessions: Observing and Data Reduction
- Introduction to Next Generation Interferometers - SKA and ALMA
The programme is available here.
Science Organising Committee
James Urquhart (Chair), Robert Braun, Phil Edwards, Jimi Green, Kate Brooks
School Photo
Important dates
- May 2010: First announcement
- 12th July 2010: Second announcement + registration opened
- 30th August 2010: Registration closed
- September 2010: Third announcement
- 27 September 2010: School Starts
Venue
Australia Telescope Compact Array, Narrabri, NSW Australia
Textbook
The was no formal textbook for the Synthesis Imaging School, and material for most of the lectures will be made available on-line. However, most of the (non-ATCA specific) material in the course is covered in detail in "Synthesis Imaging in Radio Astronomy II" (ed. Taylor, Carilli & Perley, (ASP Conference Series vol. 180).
Registration
Registration is now closed. The registration fee was $275 for students and $325 for others and covered all lunches as well as two dinner events.
Accommodation Advice
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science has made block bookings with a range of accommodation providers and participants should make reservations with their preferred provider directly: be sure to mention the booking is for the CSIRO Radio Astronomy School to take advantage of the block bookings. Accommodation details can be found here.
Download a map of Narrabri town showing hotels and daily bus (see information below) pick-up points.
Download a map of Narrabri district showing the location of the Australia Telescope Compact Array.
Transport
Participants are responsible for organising their own transport to and from Narrabri. If taxis are required on arrival or departure to Narrabri the school, at this stage, will liaise with the taxi company to make the bookings. We can assess requirements and group passengers or may provide a bus.
The Radio school will provide a bus to pick people up from:
- the Sunday evening flight;
- the Sunday evening train.
For all other arrivals by plane or train we will organise pooled taxis.
The following link to Narrabri tourism has travel information, district Maps, etc.
http://www.visitnarrabri.com.au/
Daily Bus
The School will provide a bus to and from site each day for participants without daily transport. This is included in the registration fee. The following bus stops have been allocated for the daily bus to site. Please check the map for their locations and the timetable for pick-up times. These can be found at the links below:
- Bus Stop 1 - Narrabri Bowling Club (Front entrance, 176 Maitland Street) For participants from the Bellview Motel, Club Motor Inn, Adelong Motel or others nearby.
- Bus Stop 2 - Southern Cross Motel
- Bus Stop 3 - Highway Tourist Village
- Bus Stop 4 - Kaputar Motel
Download the timetable for the bus to and from the site each day.
Download a map of Narrabri showing hotels and bus pick-up points.
Post-school events
A "Science in the Pub" night will be held in Coonbarabran (one hour's drive south of Narrabri) from 6:30pm on Friday 1 October, with Jay Lockman as one of the panelists. The venue is the Royal Hotel, on the main street. The topic is "Climate Change: Can Astronomers Shed Any Light?" Entry is $5, meals are $18.
Catering
Also included in the registration fees are all lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and two evening functions.
Student Assistance
For students not receiving substantial assistance from home institutions, the school may be able to contribute towards accommodation or travel. This is usually granted for share accommodation, and train travel to and from Sydney. Other requests may be considered in special circumstances.
To help with the assessment process, please express interest in financial assistance with early registrations.
Contact Information
For further enquiries, contact the school organisation team at radio-school@atnf.csiro.au.
Emergency contact details will be send to participants by email.