The Australian Astronomy MNRF

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The Australian Astronomy MNRF
Ray NorrisJune 2004
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22 August 2001 Sen. Minchin awards 23.5m to the
MNRF astronomy proposal (Total budget 52m)
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GEMINIThe worlds most powerful optical
telescope

• The MNRF
• Buys us an additional share of the two Gemini
  telescopes
• Enables us to play a key role in developing
  instrumentation for Gemini

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The Square Kilometre Array

• The next generation radio telescope
• An internationally-funded A2B project
• Technology development now
• strong industry involvement
• Site selection in 2006
• We are bidding to host it in Australia
• Construction starts in 2010

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Australias Astronomy Future

• The goals of the MNRF
• Provide facilities to do excellent science
• Develop SKA
• Upgrade existing facilities in the process
• Greater access to Gemini
• Draw the Australian astronomical community
  together
• Position Australia as the 1 astronomical
  instrumentation builder in the world
• Build a healthy future for Australian astronomy

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MNRF management structure
CSIRO
ARC
DEST
AABoM
Australian Gemini Steering Committee
SKA consortium
MNRF Director
Executive Officer
Gemini2
SKA1
SKA2
Etc...
Gemini1
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The Projects

• MNRF Project Office
• Increased Share of Gemini
• RSAA Instrumentation
• AAO Instrumentation
• CABB AT Compact Array Broadband Backend
• NTD SKA New Technology Demonstrator
• MMIC Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits
• SKAMP SKA Molonglo Prototype
• SKA WA Siting
• SKA Supercomputer Simulations Baseband
  Processing

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Overall Progress

• All projects making substantial progress
• Some are falling somewhat behind their targets
• None are causing undue concern
• Several highlights (to be reported today)
• Funding is on track
• AABoM is running well
• DEST are supportive

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Issues

• Luneburg lenses NTD refocussing
• See J Kot/R Norris talks today
• Uncommitted Gemini funds
• See G Da Costa talk today
• MNRF Office understaffed
• Executive Officer being appointed
• R Norris proposes to step down as MNRF director
• MNRF director must be CSIRO staff member
• Selection process is in train

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See www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/mnrf2001