From andrew.hopkins at aao.gov.au Mon Jul 27 17:03:16 2015 From: andrew.hopkins at aao.gov.au (Andrew Hopkins) Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:03:16 +1000 Subject: [ASA] AAO Student Fellowships Message-ID: <55B5D7B4.8050601@aao.gov.au> AAO Student Fellowship Program ------------------------------ The Australian Astronomical Observatory provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research projects. Students will spend 10-12 weeks in the period Dec 2015 - Feb 2016 working at the Australian Astronomical Observatory in Sydney on research projects under the supervision of AAO staff astronomers and engineers. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to visit the telescopes at Siding Spring Observatory. Please encourage your undergraduate students to apply. The deadline for applications is: *** 31 August 2015 *** Details are available here: http://www.aao.gov.au/science/research/students/fellowships The stipend is A$700 per week. How to Apply Applications are required to be sent by e-mail. Please send your application as a single Word or PDF document attachment to the AAO Student Fellowship Coordinator, A.Prof. Andrew Hopkins (andrew.hopkins at aao.gov.au). The application should include the following: - Full name and contact address (it is essential to include an e-mail address). - Full details of university studies, including a transcript of academic record (if your university supplies only hardcopy transcripts, please scan it and send us the JPEG or PDF file). - Names and e-mail addresses of TWO academic referees who have been asked to e-mail letters to Prof. Hopkins by the application deadline, outlining the applicant's suitability for this scholarship program. The AAO does not chase up late referees, and missing references can hinder your chances of selection. - A one page statement giving the applicant's reasons for applying and their interests in Astronomy/Astrophysics/Instrumentation. If you have prior research experience, computing skills, or other skills associated with astronomy or research, please emphasise these. - A short resume (2-3 pages) is optional, but highly recommended, as well. Please contact Andrew Hopkins with any queries about the program or the application process. Andrew Hopkins -- 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 From skymapper at anu.edu.au Tue Jul 28 16:43:38 2015 From: skymapper at anu.edu.au (RSAA - SkyMapper) Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 06:43:38 +0000 Subject: [ASA] The SkyMapper Test Data Release (TDR) Message-ID: <3203E70D-9C7E-4432-83E2-72A8192C4583@anu.edu.au> Dear colleagues, The SkyMapper team is pleased to announce the first Test Data Release (TDR) of the Southern Sky Survey, available at http://skymapper.anu.edu.au The Test Data Release is a preview of the Survey data, designed to show their characteristics, while also testing data access methods for images and catalogues. The TDR is intended only for testing purposes, and we request that science publications await the first science-grade data release of the Survey later this year. The community is invited to scrutinise the data and access interface, and provide any feedback that could improve the forthcoming DR1. The TDR covers approx. 60 square degrees in the area of Field 6 of the Kepler 2 Mission, near RA=13h 40m and Dec=-15 deg. The TDR includes multiple visits in six filters (uvgriz). Median seeing is 2.8 arcsec, and 10-sigma depth ranges from AB~17 in u to AB~17.7 in g. First releases of the deeper Main Survey data are anticipated for 2016. Images and catalogues can be accessed via the tools on the SkyMapper website (http://skymapper.anu.edu.au), which are being developed as part of the Australian All-Sky Virtual Observatory. The TAP (Table Access Protocol), SIAP (Simple Image Access Protocol), and Cone Search services can also be accessed through Virtual Observatory-aware software tools like TOPCAT and Aladin. Your comments on the functionality and stability of these services are especially welcome. Southern Sky Survey data enjoy Australian-only priority access for the first year following any release, after which they will be made available worldwide. Please address all feedback, suggestions and bug reports in the first instance to skymapper at anu.edu.au A page with known issues will be continuously updated at the URL above. The SkyMapper Team -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bgaensler at dunlap.utoronto.ca Tue Jul 28 23:00:28 2015 From: bgaensler at dunlap.utoronto.ca (Bryan Gaensler) Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:00:28 -0400 Subject: [ASA] 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures Message-ID: Dear all, The ASA is a leader in mentoring students and in advancing women in science. To this end, I want to draw members? attention to the newly launched ?1000 Girls, 1000 Futures? initiative. This is a program run by the New York Academy of Sciences and the Clinton Global Initiative to pair scientists with young students from around the world. The aim is to grow the STEM pipeline and to get more young women into science careers. The program runs initially for 12 months, starting in September 2015. To sign up, go to http://www.1000girls1000futures.com . cheers Bryan From michael.brown at monash.edu Wed Jul 29 09:40:49 2015 From: michael.brown at monash.edu (Michael Brown) Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 09:40:49 +1000 Subject: [ASA] Details for Media Queries Message-ID: Dear ASA members, I know some members of the Astronomical Society of Australia are keen to engage with the media, but don?t get as many opportunities as they would wish. As the Media & Outreach Coordinator for the Astronomical Society of Australia, I often get media queries and am asked to find a suitable astronomers to provide expert commentary in a timely manner. At the moment I am selecting astronomers on an ad hoc basis, based on their expertise and previous media experience, but I want to improve on this. I am compiling a list of astronomers who are interested in engaging with the media. The details I need are: Name Institution Email Work Phone Mobile Phone Twitter Details Areas of Expertise Preferred media (Print, Online, Radio, TV, All) You can provide as many or as few details as you wish, but journalists are often looking for a rapid response (1-2 hours) so providing as many contact details as possible is useful. Yes, this does duplicate some of the lists provided at university websites, but since I do receive media queries some duplication seems reasonable. This list will be maintained by me and the chair of EPOC Chapter (Rob Hollow), and will not be made public. However, relevant details will be forwarded to journalists when they are seeking people to interview. Best regards, Michael. From francois.rigaut at anu.edu.au Wed Jul 29 10:42:10 2015 From: francois.rigaut at anu.edu.au (Francois Rigaut) Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:42:10 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Two AO post doctoral positions opened at the ANU Message-ID: Dear all, I would like to attract your attention on two post doctoral positions that we opened at the Australian National University to work on Adaptive Optics for SSA, including space debris at LEO and GEO, and satellite imaging. These positions are funded by the Space Environment Management Cooperative Research Centre, an Australian Government funded Centre, for up to four years (ending June 2019). More information at http://jobs.anu.edu.au/cw/en/job/494037/postdoctoral-fellow-research-fellow-2-positions. If you want to help saving our modern society (by preventing the Kessler syndrome), have fun with Adaptive Optics and powerful lasers within a friendly, competent and dynamical team, and move to wonderful Down Under, here is your opportunity ! Cheers, Francois Rigaut Associate Prof. Francois Rigaut francois.rigaut at anu.edu.au Adaptive Optics Group Lead www.rsaa.anu.edu.au Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics Telephone: +61-2-6125-0210 The Australian National University Mobile: +61-499-680-000 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au Fri Jul 31 12:05:16 2015 From: Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au (Paul Francis) Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2015 02:05:16 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Call 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 NOVEMBER 2015 - 31st JANUARY 2016 is 23:59 August 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 Australian 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 itso at aao.gov.au Fri Jul 31 16:04:53 2015 From: itso at aao.gov.au (International Telescopes Support Office) Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:04:53 +1000 Subject: [ASA] Australian Gemini Undergraduate Summer Studentships 2015/16 Message-ID: <55BB1005.60307@aao.gov.au> Australian Gemini Undergraduate Summer Studentships --------------------------------------------------- The International Telescopes Support Office at the AAO is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2015/16 Australian Gemini Undergraduate Summer Studentships (AGUSS) program. AGUSS provides an exciting research opportunity for students who have completed at least two years of an undergraduate degree in Physics, Maths, Astronomy or Engineering. Students will spend 10 weeks in the period Dec 2015 - Feb 2016 based in La Serena, Chile carrying out a research project under the supervision of Gemini Observatory staff, and visit both the Gemini South 8m telescope and the Magellan 6.5m telescopes. We would be grateful if ASA members could bring this opportunity to the attention of any suitably experienced undergraduates they may be teaching or supervising, and encourage them to apply. Students currently studying for a Masters degree in one of the fields listed above may be considered if their undergraduate degree was in a different field. Due to the growing demand for AGUSS there will be three studentships awarded in 2015/16 instead of the usual two. AGUSS applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents enrolled at an Australian university. The International Telescopes Support Office will pay the return airfare from the student's home city in Australia to the town of La Serena, Chile, and provide a stipend of approximately A$700 per week. Full details on how to apply, together with a FAQ and the experiences of past AGUSS recipients, are available at: http://www.aao.gov.au/science/research/students/gemini The closing date for applications is Monday 31 August 2015. Please contact Stuart Ryder (sdr at aao.gov.au) with any queries about the AGUSS program. --------------------------------------------------------------------- *As of 1 July 2015, the Australian Gemini Office is now the International Telescopes Support Office. Please update your e-mail address book to use "itso at aao.gov.au" in place of "ausgo at aao.gov.au".* --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: