Southern stars—the decade ahead for Australian astronomy

Astronomy is entering an exciting new era of exploration.

Extremely large optical telescopes, including the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), which is due to be built in Chile in 2021, will allow studies of stars and galaxies at the dawn of the universe, and will peer at planets similar to ours around distant stars.

The Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which will be constructed in Australia and South Africa over the next several years, will observe the transformation in the young universe that followed the formation of the first generation of stars and test Einstein’s theory of relativity.

more…

Astronomy decadal plan 2016–2025

The National Committee for Astronomy (NCA) aims to foster astronomy in Australia, to link the Academy to Australian astronomers and relevant scientific societies, and to serve as a link between Australian and overseas astronomers, primarily through the International Astronomical Union. The NCA conducts a strategic planning process every 10 years, allowing Australian astronomy to carry out a stocktake of its capabilities, assess its impact both nationally and internationally, provide a vision for the future, and set priorities and develop strategies for implementing that vision. The committee proposes and encourages activities in Australia to enhance the status of astronomy, in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Australia, Astronomy Australia Limited and other professional and regional societies. It also supports planning for Australian involvement in current and future large-scale astronomical facilities.

more…

“DINGO ultradeep”

Interesting.

mollwollfumble said:

“DINGO ultradeep”

Interesting.

A dog’s breath? or a dingo’s breakfast?