[ASA] Optical Astronomy in Australia - Communication #4

Thu Aug 17 16:05:27 AEST 2017

Optical Astronomy in Australia - Communication #4

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Optical Astronomy in Australia - Communication #4

Welcome to the latest regular update on the implementation of the 2017-18 Budget measure on optical astronomy. In this update, there is information on the processes for participation in European Southern Observatory (ESO) observing times, the nomination of Australian representatives in ESO governance bodies, and progress on the domestic arrangements in optical astronomy.

The Australia-ESO Strategic Partnership

ESO Community Days
Under the strategic partnership with ESO, Australian-based astronomers will be eligible to apply for observing time on the facilities of the La Silla and Paranal Observatories in Chile commencing with Period 101 (1 April - 30 September 2018). ESO will issue a Call for Proposals at the end of August and the proposal deadline will be Thursday 28 September 2017.

In the lead up to this proposal round, the International Telescopes Support Office (ITSO)<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Ov16Blfv4o6c4?domain=industry.us11.list-manage1.com> at the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) is coordinating a series of "ESO Community Days" around Australia, on behalf of ESO, the department, and Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL).

The ESO Director for Science, Dr Rob Ivison, and the Head of the Observing Programs Office at ESO, Dr Ferdinando Patat, will provide a comprehensive overview of the current and future observing facilities available, and outline the process for preparation, submission, and assessment of proposals. The sessions will run from 10.00 am until lunchtime as follows:

  *   Monday 18 Sep 2017: AAO, Sydney
  *   Tuesday 19 Sep 2017: RSAA Mt Stromlo, Canberra
  *   Wednesday 20 Sep 2017: Swinburne University, Melbourne
  *   Thursday 21 Sep 2017: University of Western Australia, Perth
  *   Friday 22 Sep 2017: University of Queensland, Brisbane
Further details on venues will be provided closer to the date. Attendance is free and pre-registration will not be required. For those unable to attend any of these events in person, the AAO-based session will include an option for video-conference participation, and a recording will be made available. The ITSO has updated its website with information about applying for time with ESO<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/9OVQB5UbowWhz?domain=industry.us11.list-manage1.com>.

For further information about the ESO Community Days please contact the ITSO<mailto:itso at aao.gov.au>.

Don’t forget that Australians are now eligible to apply for ESO jobs (provided, of course, you meet all the other criteria!) <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/lqmYBbS5QqRcd?domain=industry.us11.list-manage.com>

Domestic arrangements

In the last newsletter I neglected to attach the slides from my presentation on the first day of the ASA annual meeting on 10 July 2017. So here they are! My presentation was part of a larger panel discussion on the future of our domestic optical astronomy capability, convened by Professor Rachel Webster, Chair of AAL. The panel members were Professor Lisa Kewley (ANU / NCA), Professor Matthew Colless (ANU), Professor Warrick Couch (AAO), and Mark McAuley (AAL).

Click here to view a copy of the ASA slides<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/z4nRBmUrYMdu2?domain=industry.us11.list-manage1.com>

AAO staff consultation
Last Thursday 10 August 2017, AAO General Manager Neville Legg and I provided a briefing to the CSIRO Staff Association, which represents AAO staff, on the progress of the optical astronomy measure, and invited the association’s questions and views.
Deputy Secretary Sue Weston and Head of the Science and Commercialisation Policy Division Jane Urquhart will meet with AAO staff at Siding Spring Observatory via videoconference on Friday 18 August 2017. Sue and Jane will also visit AAO staff at North Ryde on Friday 25 August 2017. There will be an opportunity at both events for staff to ask questions.

AAT consortium led by the Australian National University
Following a good deal of discussion and organisation between the ANU, AAO, AAL, and the department, the outgoing Director of Gemini, Dr Markus Kissler-Patig, will provide the ANU and its consortium partners with advice about effective operating models to consider for the AAT under its new operational management. Dr Kissler-Patig will visit Australia for a two-week consultancy commencing on 25 September 2017. His report is expected by the end of October.

National optical instrumentation capability
The department has been working with the newly formed Reference Group for Optical Astronomy (below) on an expression of interest (EOI) process which will provide a framework within which interested parties can formally register their interest in building a new national, industry focused capability in optical astronomy instrumentation. The EOI will take place over coming months with a view to agreeing new arrangements by the end of December 2017.

Reference Group for Optical Astronomy
My last update mentioned our plans for a Reference Group for Optical Astronomy. The group met for the first time last Thursday 10 August in Canberra and via teleconference. The purpose of the group is to provide advice to the department on the establishment of the optical instrumentation capability specifically, and the implementation of the optical astronomy measure more broadly.
Chaired by Prof. Peter Quinn, who is also the chair of the AAO Advisory Committee, the group comprises key astronomy stakeholders from universities, government, and the research sector. The inaugural meeting was productive and collegiate, and consensus was achieved on the principles and frameworks for the establishment of the optical instrumentation capability, a key element of the EOI process. The group is expected to meet again in the first weeks of September to discuss the EOI.

I will continue to provide you with regular updates over the coming months. Make sure you sign up at the link below to get on our mailing list. And remember, if you have specific questions, you can email us directly – details below.

Clare McLaughlin
General Manager
Science Agencies Governance Branch
Science and Commercialisation Policy Division
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
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