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International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
 

In this issue:

ICRAR News:
Peer Pressure on a Galactic Scale
New astronomy Centre of Excellence announced
Young Scientist award for ICRAR Researcher
Engineering Briefing
NATA accreditation
Research Focus: Aperture Array Verification Program
Recent Events
National SKA News:

anzSKA bid boosted at International SKA Forum 2010

Natural energy to help power exploration of the Universe
International SKA News
Latest SKA Newsletter
ICRAR Education Update:
PhD Scholarships
Astronomical Awesomeness
Karratha Career Expo
Tuning In to Radio Astronomy
Astronomer Interview: Ken Freeman

ICRAR News

Peer Pressure on a Galactic Scale

Centaurus A as seen by the new trans-tasman radio array

ICRAR astronomer Dr Kenji Bekki has shown that when a cluster of galaxies grows, individuals feel the pressure and start forming new stars in massive bursts.

New astronomy Centre of Excellence Announced

The Australian Research Council announced $20.6 million for a new astronomy Centre of Excellence on Friday July 16th.  

The ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO) will substantially expand Australia's research capabilities, boosting Australia’s track record as a world leader in Astronomy.

Young Scientist Award for ICRAR Researcher

ICRAR researcher Dr Hayley Bignall has received a Young Scientist Award to attend the 2010 Asia-Pacific Radio Science Conference to be held in September in Toyama, Japan.

Engineering Briefing

Deputy Director (Engineering) Professor Peter Hall reports on the successful engineering briefing day held at ICRAR Brodie-Hall in July.  Some 65 representatives from Industry, Academia and other collaborating bodies attended to hear about ICRAR's engineering projects and meet our senior engineering team.

NATA Accreditation

EMC Testing

The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA), has recently accredited ICRAR as an inspection body for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).

Research Focus: Aperture Array Verification Program

AA-lo

One of ICRAR's key contributions to the global SKA effort is part of the Aperture Array Verification Program (AAVP).  ICRAR's focus is on exploratory technology, investigating options for major components of the SKA. 

Recent Events

A few highlights from ICRAR's busy calendar of events, including a visit from Her Excellency Baroness Valerie Amos, High Commissioner of the British High Commission in Canberra and a visit by Perth Modern students on an engineering experience. 

ICRAR also has many upcoming events, including public exhibitions during National Science Week and our regular seminar series.  Visit our events page to find out more and join us at an event.  You can also sign up to our events RSS to be updated whenever a new event is added. 

National SKA News

anzSKA bid boosted at International SKA Forum 2010

Eleven ICRAR staff participated in the International SKA Forum (ISKAF) 2010 last week, helping boost the Australian and New Zealand bid to host the SKA.  SKA partners from around the world came together in The Netherlands to discuss and plan for the SKA. 

Natural energy to help power exploration of the Universe

The Federal Government has announced that the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) and the Pawsey High-Performance Computing Centre for SKA Science will receive $47.3 million for the development of solar and geothermal energy technologies. 

International SKA News

Latest SKA Newsletter

The newly-styled SKA newsletter was released recently from the SKA Program and Development Office (SPDO).  It contains news on:

  • Site characterisation
  • Industry Participation
  • Outreach
  • Future Meetings and Events
  • News from the Consortia and Institutes
  • As well as an Engineering Update, a Science Update and a feature on Science with the SKA. 

ICRAR Education Update

PhD Scholarships

ICRAR has two international PhD scholarships currently on offer.  Each scholarship is for $30,000 per annum, for three years with a possible six month extension.  Applications for both scholarships close during August.   

Astronomical Awesomeness

ICRAR Astronomer Dr Megan Argo was one of the profs invited to participate in Scitech's 'Profs and Pints' astronomy night - Astronomical Awesomeness last week.  The question was 'Why do we ask why?' and the panel spoke briefly and then participated in a discussion with a 130 strong audience.  

Karratha Career Expo

In June, ICRAR participated in the Karratha Career Expo and Try-a-trade event.  The event showcased opportunities available to students within the Pilbara region of Western Australia. 

ICRAR took a component of the Murchison Widefield Array telescope, and some interactive games to engage students and show them what astronomy was all about. 

Tuning In to Radio Astronomy

Throughout National Science Week astronomers and science communicators from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) will be hitting the road to help the public of Western Australia ‘Tune In’ to radio astronomy. Discover how a telescope the size of a continent will see back to the beginnings of time and help answer some of the fundamental questions for today's scientists.

Tuning in will be at:

  • Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre (9:00-4pm 13th and 14th of August)
  • Forrest Place Perth CBD (10-4pm 15th of August)
  • Centro Northgate Shopping Centre, Geraldton (10-3pm 21st of August)
  • Badgingarra Town Oval (6-8:30pm 22nd of August)

With a special appearance at the New Norcia ESA Dish on Sunday the 22nd of August from 10:00-12:00.  Don't miss out on this one, because the dish is only open to the public for this special event!

Astronomer Interview: Professor Ken Freeman

Prof Ken Freeman

Professor Ken Freeman is Duffield Professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University (Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mount Stromlo Observatory) in Canberra. Whilst visiting ICRAR as Professor-at-large, we asked him about his research on dark matter and far away stars and his proudest achievment - supervising 54 PhD students!   

ICRAR UWA
7 Fairway, Crawley WA 6009
(+61 8) 6488 7766
ICRAR Curtin
1 Turner Avenue, Bentley WA 6102
(+61 8) 9266 9899
The University of Western Australia Curtin University

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