From andrew.hopkins at aao.gov.au Mon Apr 27 11:42:53 2015 From: andrew.hopkins at aao.gov.au (Andrew Hopkins) Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:42:53 +1000 Subject: [ASA] Fwd: Science & Technology Australia April newsletter In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <553D941D.4030702@aao.gov.au> -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Science & Technology Australia April newsletter Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:33:21 +1000 From: Catriona Jackson To: catriona jackson If you are having trouble viewing this message, you can read the Newsletter on our website . **Presidents, please pass on to your members** **Colleagues, please share with you r networks** CONNECT: MEMBER PROFILE *Name and title: * Dr Euan Ritchie, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Deakin University *Discipline: * Ecology *What lured you to science and/or technology in the first place?* Nature, an obsession with it. Wanting to know why? *What keeps you there?* The same reasons [as lured me to science], some questions can't be answered easily, if ever, and they're the best ones to pursue. *What makes science different to other careers?* You really can say you're making a difference. Knowledge is power as they say, and that's what science does, it creates knowledge that otherwise was hidden from us. I like that creative element, I'm not much of an artist, but I'm guessing that's how painters, musicians, dancers etc feel too? *What would you tell a 10-year-old about a career in science and technology?* Follow your dreams, if you love something, you can't fail. It's a challenging career, no doubt, but one rich with rewards. Find a good mentor, it's NEVER too early. *Have you a favourite career moment?* Meeting my wife to be at a conference ;) SUPPORT STA Science & Technology Australia has been working for three decades to keep science and technology high on the national agenda, with parliament, policy makers and industry. Science and technology underpins virtually every aspect of modern life, but is often the first on the chopping block when cuts come. We believe that a flourishing science and technology system forms the basis of a prosperous and forward-looking nation. Donations will contribute to the advocacy work STA does with parliamentarians and policy makers, it will boost campaigns and enrich events that bring the best science into your living room. Putting science in the spotlight and keeping it there is something we work at each and every day. If you would like to help STA keep science on the national agenda, please make a donation today . Dear STA members and friends, It has been a very busy start to 2015 with two major events and the successful campaign to save the national collaborative research infrastructure scheme (NCRIS) already under our belts. The campaign unleashed an outpouring of concern from business, science and the broader community regarding the fate of the 27 national facilities that are the backbone of our research system. While all of us breathed a huge sign of relief at the reprieve announced on March 17, there is no place for complacency. STA is continuing to work closely on the issue, to ensure we are not in the same predicament in 9 months time, and to capitalise on the goodwill the campaign created for research infrastructure, but also for science broadly. *Catriona Jackson* Chief Executive Officer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Federal Budget* As usual STA Members will get the details direct from the Federal Budget lock up on the night (May 12). We will be looking very closely at the fate of the NCRIS funding, how many years? worth has been allocated, and where the money has come from to fund the 2015/16 allocation and beyond. Funding to the ARC will also be closely watched, with particular concern for the fate of the Future Fellowships program. *The year ahead* STA is negotiating a fresh contract with the Commonwealth to provide /Science meets Parliament/ and other events, including /Topical Science Forums/ for the public but also events for the Parliamentary Friends of Science. Signs are good and we look forward to finalising the arrangements in coming months. *NCRIS campaign* STA, along with the Academy of Science, and an alliance of like-minded science and education peak bodes and learned academies, led a campaign to save the 27 National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (NCRIS) facilities from closure earlier this year. Within weeks the campaign developed a real head of steam and on March 17 Minister Pyne backed down , and said the NCRIS allocation would flow. This is a very significant win for science which has left the parliament in no doubt that scientists have real community support. STA is working to capitalise on this as we approach the 2016 election year. */Science meets Parliament/ 2015* Over 200 scientists flooded the halls of power for /Science meets Parliament/ (SmP) this year, with a raft of new elements to give even more life to this annual event. Feedback has been universally enthusiastic, from scientists and parliamentarians, and plans are afoot for a bigger and better event in 2016. We will be coming to 2015 SmPers for more detailed feedback this year, on meetings and results as the year progresses so that we can better track the impact of this truly unique event. If you missed out all the videos, photos, media coverage and speech transcripts are available HERE . */Science meets Policymakers/* Around 200 delegates also attended Science meets Policymakers this year, the second time STA has run this event designed specifically to bring science and the bureaucracy closer together. The top class audience took it right up to the raft or high calibre speakers, as the groups navigated the maze of policymaking. If you couldn't make it watch the proceedings and read the coverage of the event HERE . *Keeping in touch* This newsletter is just one of the ways STA communicates. Emails sent direct to member organisations are another, but increasingly breaking news, comment and a wide array of information on scholarships, awards and conferences are issued via our social media platforms, such as our Twitter , Facebook andGoogle+ feeds. We film many of our events and you can watch the footage on our YouTube channel You have received this email from Science & Technology Australia. If you do not wish to receive newsletter emails from us, please unsubscribe . ? 2015 - Science & Technology Australia Catriona Jackson Chief Executive Officer Science & Technology Australia T: 02 6257 2891| M: 0417 142 238| F: 02 6257 2897 PO Box 259, Canberra City ACT 2601 Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Science & Technology Australia -- Prof. Andrew Hopkins, Head of Research and Outreach Australian Astronomical Observatory P.O. Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia ph: +61 2 9372 4849 fax: +61 2 9372 4880 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au Mon Apr 27 12:52:38 2015 From: Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au (Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au) Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:52:38 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Reminder: Tour the MRO - invitation to the ASA Message-ID: <2B54BFFC5575BD4D8BC66BBC09D4CE4399EABAF1@exmbx06-cdc.nexus.csiro.au> Dear all, A gentle reminder about the proposed tour of the MRO before/after the ASA meeting in July. The doodle poll will close tomorrow, Tuesday 28 April 2015. http://doodle.com/5596u89hapuaecyg Kind Regards, Flo Flornes Yuen SKA Information Officer Astronomy and Space Science CSIRO E flornes.yuen at csiro.au T +61 2 9372 4339 M +61 411 444 651 From: asa-bounces at physics.usyd.edu.au [mailto:asa-bounces at physics.usyd.edu.au] On Behalf Of Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au Sent: Tuesday, 21 April 2015 3:26 PM To: asa at physics.usyd.edu.au Subject: [ExternalEmail] [ASA] Tour the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory - invitation to the ASA Dear all, CSIRO and the MWA project (led by Curtin University) would like to offer delegates of this year's ASA Annual Science Meeting the opportunity to visit the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. This is a unique opportunity to visit the MRO in person and tour the ASKAP antennas, MRO Control building and MWA telescope. Seats are limited and will be filled on a 'first come, first served' basis. To indicate your interest and choose a preferred date (Saturday 4 July or Saturday 11 July) please fill in the following doodle poll by Tuesday 28 April: http://doodle.com/5596u89hapuaecyg Details: * The bus will leave Geraldton at dawn on Saturday morning, and return in the evening. * Delegates will therefore need to arrive in Geraldton by no later than Friday evening. * Delegates will be able to depart Geraldton on Sunday. * Domestic flights to/from Geraldton and accommodation will be at your own expense. * The cost of the bus to/from the MRO will be covered by CSIRO and Curtin University. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me by reply email. Kind Regards, Flo Flornes Yuen SKA Information Officer Astronomy and Space Science CSIRO E flornes.yuen at csiro.au T +61 2 9372 4339 M +61 411 444 651 PO Box 76, Epping, NSW, 1710 | Vimiera & Pembroke Rd, Marsfield, NSW, 2122 www.csiro.au | www.csiro.au/CASS | csirouniverseblog.com PLEASE NOTE The information contained in this email may be confidential or privileged. Any unauthorised use or disclosure is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender by return email. Thank you. To the extent permitted by law, CSIRO does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained or that the communication is free of errors, virus, interception or interference. Please consider the environment before printing this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au Tue Apr 28 11:51:28 2015 From: Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au (Paul Francis) Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:51:28 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Cal for 2.3m Proposals Message-ID: Dear Observer, The closing date for observing proposals for time on the ANU/RSAA 2.3m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) in the quarter 1st AUGUST 2015 - 31st OCTOBER 2015 is 23:59 May 15, 2015. Instruments available: Nasymth A: WiFeS Nasymth B: Imager or echelle. Observing proposals must be submitted electronically via the RSAA web pages. Full instructions are available at http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa. You will need the most recent versions of the template and style files which can be obtained from the web pages. *************************** PLEASE NOTE *********************************** (1) WiFeS users are requested to indicate on the proposal form whether they will be present at the telescope or observe remotely. Remote observing is available only to experienced WiFeS observers but can now be carried out from sites other than Mt Stromlo subject to technical feasibility. (2) Proposals for use of the 2.3m will only be considered if the PI is from the ANU or from another institution that contributes financially or has contributed financially and directly to the building and/or operations of the 2.3m telescope and its commissioned instruments. These institutions include those that collaborated on the successful ARC LIEF bid to fund the Blue Arm of the WiFeS spectrograph and the successful ARC LIEF bid for the WiFeS upgrade. All such proposals will be judged on their scientific merit alone. There will be no quotas placed on the amount of time available for qualifying institutions. These policies will remain in place for the present. Currently eligible (non-ANU) institutions are the AAO, UQld, UNSW and USyd as well as Swinburne, Monash and Macquarie. (3) Macquarie, Swinburne and Monash proposals have a certain amount of guaranteed time. All proposals wishing to claim this should state explicitly in the abstract how much of this time they wish to claim. (4) Limited first night support at the telescope is provided to new observers. Nevertheless new observers are strongly encouraged to be present at the telescope at least one night before their observing run to familiarise themselves with the telescope and instrument operating systems. The latest information on using the telescope and its instruments can be found at http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/obsering-rsaa. (5) Proposers are reminded to limit their scientific case to TWO pages, including figures and references. *************************************************************************** If you have technical problems in using the web-based submission process, please email tacinfo at mso.anu.edu.au. Paul Francis Chair, ANU TAC ============================= A/Prof. Paul Francis Astrophysicist Mt Stromlo Observatory, and the Physics Education Centre College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Building 38a, Tel 02 6125 2824 or 8031 The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia paul.francis at anu.edu.au http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/~pfrancis/ CRICOS Provider #00120C -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ausgo at aao.gov.au Fri May 1 09:52:04 2015 From: ausgo at aao.gov.au (Australian Gemini Office) Date: Fri, 01 May 2015 09:52:04 +1000 Subject: [ASA] Gemini Survey and Australian 8m science symposium Message-ID: <5542C024.70106@aao.gov.au> A couple of news items from the AAO's International Telescopes Support Office: 1. The Gemini Observatory seeks feedback from international community astronomers to help develop for the future. We encourage everyone, both users and non-users of Gemini, to complete the brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZGCKQNQ. The initial questions focus on defining your needs in the coming years, and the second part concerns current services. The survey will remain open through June 1, 2015. The observatory and National Gemini Offices will review the results, and will use them as important input during community-wide discussions at the Future and Science of Gemini Observatory meeting in mid-June (for which late registration closes on 23 May). Although Australia will no longer be a full partner in Gemini after 2015, Australian astronomers will still be able to apply for a total of 7 classical nights on Gemini in 2016 . 2. A reminder that the registration deadline for the 2015 Australian Gemini, Magellan, and Keck Science Symposium to be held 21-22 May at the AAO in Sydney, is *Friday 8 May 2015*. Registration is free, and there are still a few speaking slots available. Everyone who has some experience in, or interest in using 8m-class telescopes is encouraged to attend. Stuart Ryder Head of International Telescopes Support ausgo at aao.gov.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au Fri May 1 09:50:51 2015 From: Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au (Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au) Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:50:51 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Tour the MRO - final invite to ASA delegates Message-ID: <2B54BFFC5575BD4D8BC66BBC09D4CE4399EB74EA@exmbx06-cdc.nexus.csiro.au> Dear all, If you are interested in visiting the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (as detailed below) but haven't yet signed up, please fill in the following poll to indicate your interest. http://doodle.com/5596u89hapuaecyg The deadline for response has been extended to the end of the day today, Friday 1 May 2015. In order to go ahead with the visit, we need a minimum number of people that, at this stage, has not been met. If you know someone who would like to go but who may not have received this email, please encourage them to sign up, or contact me directly for further information. Kind Regards, Flo From: asa-bounces at physics.usyd.edu.au [mailto:asa-bounces at physics.usyd.edu.au] On Behalf Of Flornes.Yuen at csiro.au Sent: Tuesday, 21 April 2015 3:26 PM To: asa at physics.usyd.edu.au Subject: [ExternalEmail] [ASA] Tour the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory - invitation to the ASA Dear all, CSIRO and the MWA project (led by Curtin University) would like to offer delegates of this year's ASA Annual Science Meeting the opportunity to visit the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. This is a unique opportunity to visit the MRO in person and tour the ASKAP antennas, MRO Control building and MWA telescope. Seats are limited and will be filled on a 'first come, first served' basis. To indicate your interest and choose a preferred date (Saturday 4 July or Saturday 11 July) please fill in the following doodle poll by Tuesday 28 April: http://doodle.com/5596u89hapuaecyg Details: * The bus will leave Geraldton at dawn on Saturday morning, and return in the evening. * Delegates will therefore need to arrive in Geraldton by no later than Friday evening. * Delegates will be able to depart Geraldton on Sunday. * Domestic flights to/from Geraldton and accommodation will be at your own expense. * The cost of the bus to/from the MRO will be covered by CSIRO and Curtin University. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me by reply email. Kind Regards, Flo Flornes Yuen SKA Information Officer Astronomy and Space Science CSIRO E flornes.yuen at csiro.au T +61 2 9372 4339 M +61 411 444 651 PO Box 76, Epping, NSW, 1710 | Vimiera & Pembroke Rd, Marsfield, NSW, 2122 www.csiro.au | www.csiro.au/CASS | csirouniverseblog.com PLEASE NOTE The information contained in this email may be confidential or privileged. Any unauthorised use or disclosure is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender by return email. Thank you. To the extent permitted by law, CSIRO does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained or that the communication is free of errors, virus, interception or interference. Please consider the environment before printing this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au Fri May 1 12:14:16 2015 From: john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au (John O'Byrne) Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 12:14:16 +1000 Subject: [ASA] ASA Annual Scientific Meeting: **Poster Submission extended** In-Reply-To: <1430272722527.8816@curtin.edu.au> References: <1430272722527.8816@curtin.edu.au> Message-ID: The 2015 ASA ASM and HWSA are hosted by ICRAR-Curtin. ** 2015 ASA ASM - **POSTER** ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 22 (Registration Required) ** Note that all posters that have already been submitted, have been accepted (subject to registration having been paid). ** Program: ASA ASM oral program will be announced next week (week beginning May 4) ** http://www.asa2015.org The 2015 Astronomical Society of Australia's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), hosted by ICRAR-Curtin, will be held at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, WA between July 5th to 10th. The Esplanade Hotel is located in the centre of Fremantle, a busy port town and popular tourist destination on the coast, with Perth located 20km away. Just before the ASM, the annual Harley Wood School for Astronomy (HWSA) will be held on Rottnest Island from the 2nd to 5th of July. The website for the meeting contains useful information on both the ASM and HWSA and can be found at: http://www.asa2015.org Registration for both the ASM and HWSA is now open! A summary timeline is given below: 04-08MAY - Program released 22MAY - Early-bird registration closes 22MAY - Final poster deadline (oral program closed) 26JUN - Full-price registration closes (late registration allowed up to first day of the ASM) 02JUL - HWSA begins 05JUL - Welcome Reception for ASM Poster abstract submission has been extended to May 22. **You must be registered and paid by May 22 for your poster to be considered** We look forward to welcoming you to Perth and Fremantle in July! If you require any further information, please feel free to contact us: Andrew Walsh (andrew.walsh at curtin.edu.au ) Cath Trott (Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au ) LOC and SOC co-Chairs of the ASA ASM Rebecca Lange (rebecca.lange at icrar.org ) - Chair of HWSA LOC Angus Wright (angus.wright at icrar.org ) - Chair of HWSA SOC -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From David.Luchetti at industry.gov.au Fri May 1 13:42:04 2015 From: David.Luchetti at industry.gov.au (Luchetti, David) Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 03:42:04 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Australian SKA Project Director Update [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] Message-ID: Dear ASA members, Professor Boyle has stepped down from his role as Australian SKA Project Director and I have been given the task of maintaining his high standards. As Brian's deputy for the last few years, I've had the opportunity to establish a thorough understanding of the issues and intricacies of the international project, and am very much looking forward to the challenge this role presents. I thank Brian for his significant contribution to the SKA over many years - his enthusiasm and drive will be hard to replace. However, the team in the Australian SKA Office and I will continue to work hard to progress the SKA, maintain Australia's reputation as an international leader in the project, and to engage with all our stakeholders. To update you: on Wednesday night the SKA Members met and voted strongly in favour of the UK as the permanent headquarters for the project. Two candidate sites were considered, one in Padua, Italy, and the other at the current SKA Organisation Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, near Manchester, UK. Both candidates provided compelling bids and were considered suitable to host the headquarters. It is my intention to continue to provide updates on international progress through the ASA email exploder, as well as engage more directly with the astronomy community through the ANZSCC's Science Advisory Committee and events such as the recent OzSKA conference in Melbourne. If you have any queries about the Australian Government's role in the SKA project, I am always happy to hear from you. Kind regards David David Luchetti Australian SKA Project Director Australian Square Kilometre Array Office __________________________________________ Department of Industry and Science Level 9, 10 Binara Street, Canberra City ACT 2601 GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: +61-2-6213 6068 Mob: +61 411 021 135 Email: david.luchetti at industry.gov.au Internet: www.ska.gov.au [SKA-Australia-logo] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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