From robert.shen at astronomyaustralia.org.au  Mon Sep 10 14:46:32 2018
From: robert.shen at astronomyaustralia.org.au (Robert Shen)
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2018 14:46:32 +1000
Subject: [ASA] AAL-NCA Astronomy Data and Computing Workshop
Message-ID: <CAKSNGF0kz4Q+a9edpUG9sGjp0+OtmpNXqWqbxXWyy-1F6M_DfQ@mail.gmail.com>

Dear All,



Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL) and the National Committee for Astronomy
(NCA) are hosting a one-day Astronomy Data and Computing Workshop to be
held in Melbourne on October 23rd. The purpose of the workshop is to
identify the data and computing infrastructure requirements required to
address the Astronomy Decadal plan priority that Australia attains
"world-class high-performance computing (HPC) and software capability for
large theoretical simulations, and resources to enable processing and
delivery of large datasets from these facilities".  It is intended that the
discussion cover both large-scale datasets and computing in both the
theoretical and observational domains.



The workshop program will be a mix of presentations and group discussions.
Outputs of the workshop include:


   1. Identification of synergies between Australian infrastructure
   investment in SKA, gravitational wave and other data centre investments.
   2. Input into AAL?s three-year data and computing investment plan.
   3. Draft of a data and computing infrastructure white paper, which may
   be useful input into the Mid-term Review of the Decadal Plan.
   4. Discussion of possible coordination within the Astronomical community
   of requirements from national providers such as NCI, Pawsey, etc.

All interested are welcome.  Please register your expression of interest
here:
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/JIsACYWL1vi8DNG4S0PRaC?domain=eventbrite.com.au

For more information contact:

*James Murray <jamesmurray at astronomyaustralia.org.au>*    (03) 9214 8426

*Rob Shen <robertshen at astronomyaustralia.org.au>*             (03) 9214 5520



Regards

James Murray and Rob Shen on behalf of AAL and NCA
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From daniel.zucker at mq.edu.au  Tue Sep 11 00:46:57 2018
From: daniel.zucker at mq.edu.au (Daniel Zucker)
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2018 00:46:57 +1000
Subject: [ASA] Applications for the 2018 Pleiades Awards are now open
Message-ID: <3b8467c5-6c37-a446-c2dd-6f114ec58432@mq.edu.au>

Dear ASA Members,

Applications for the 2018 ASA Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in 
Astronomy (IDEA) Chapter Pleiades Awards are now open.

The Pleiades Awards recognise organisations in Australian and New 
Zealand astronomy that promote equity and inclusion of
all people, and that actively support currently marginalised groups, 
including those of diverse ethnicities, gender identities, sexual 
orientations, religions, and disabilities.

The Awards are awarded by the ASA IDEA Chapter to organisations that 
demonstrate a strong commitment to the aims of the Chapter.

Applications are welcome from eligible organisations before the 
deadline, 5pm Sydney / Melbourne time, Friday, 2 November 2018.

The application form and criteria can be downloaded from:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/jTZeCD1jy9tPj382hWerzw?domain=asa-idea.org

Further information is available from our webpages:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/EoVbCE8kz9tP1pZrhwh0xc?domain=asa-idea.org

Best regards,

-- Daniel Zucker

Chair, ASA Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Astronomy (IDEA) Chapter, 
on behalf of the Steering Committee

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From Douglas.Bock at csiro.au  Tue Sep 11 09:02:16 2018
From: Douglas.Bock at csiro.au (Douglas.Bock at csiro.au)
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2018 23:02:16 +0000
Subject: [ASA] Call for expressions of interest to lead ARC LIEF proposals
 involving the Australia Telescope National Facility
Message-ID: <5e507a2cc6974511a8b7e9df43b575a8@exch3-cdc.nexus.csiro.au>

Dear ASA members,

Planning for the next round of ARC LIEF (Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities) applications is starting, and, in order to ensure an appropriate balance between current commitments and possible new projects, CASS is seeking Expressions of Interest from the community to lead prospective LIEF proposals. Projects that have previously been discussed with the Australia Telescope User Committee (ATUC) include (i) a GPU-based replacement for CABB (the Compact Array Broadband Backend), (ii) an Ultra-Wide-Band High (covering ~4 GHz to ~24 GHz, or possibly higher) for Parkes, and (iii) a "tied-array" back-end for ASKAP, but suggestions for other projects are also welcomed. CASS is not able to lead LIEF projects, but is willing to partner with Universities on projects (within its resource constraints) that will enhance the National Facility for all users.

Expressions of Interest, in the form of a one-page outline of the project and an indication of potential contributions from partner institutions, should be emailed to Nic.Svenson at csiro.au by Friday 21st September. EoIs will be considered by CASS, in consultation with ATUC, and by the end of September we will provide an initial assessment of which proposals CASS may be able to support. For further information please contact Jimi.Green at csiro.au

Regards,

Douglas Bock
Director
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science
E douglas.bock at csiro.au T +61 2 9372 4300 M +61 457 552 777
P.O. Box 76 Epping NSW 1710 Australia

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From elizabeth.mannering at mq.edu.au  Mon Sep 10 15:38:17 2018
From: elizabeth.mannering at mq.edu.au (Elizabeth Mannering)
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2018 05:38:17 +0000
Subject: [ASA] ASVO User Preferences Survey 2018
Message-ID: <AEB3D4DC-6BE2-4F6F-87D9-CF4F39E681EA@mq.edu.au>

Dear Colleagues,

The All-Sky Virtual Observatory (ASVO) is enabling researchers to access data across a federated network of datasets, from all types of astronomical facilities in Australia. The ASVO currently consists of five active nodes:

 - Theoretical Astrophysical Observatory (TAO)
 - SkyMapper
 - Data Central (AAT)
 - MWA
 - CASDA

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/dWnuC1WZXriR6KA1uLUFSO?domain=asvo.org.au

You are invited to provide feedback and comments for each ASVO node, and the ASVO as a whole, by completing a short survey:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/MCXoC2xZYvCjVA2vu1oX6G?domain=goo.gl

The collected responses will inform aspects of the current development and potential future functionality of the ASVO nodes. The survey takes ~15 minutes to complete, and your time and effort will help ensure that ASVO is best positioned to meet the needs of the Australian astronomical community.

We look forward to receiving survey responses by the 1st October 2018.

Please contact me with any questions, and feel free to forward this email to astronomers/students who may not be on the ASA email list.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Kind regards,

Liz Mannering, on behalf of the ASVO
[Data Central] <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uKV7C3Q8Z2FBXVgwF2JjWM?domain=datacentral.org.au>
Dr Liz Mannering<mailto:elizabeth.mannering at mq.edu.au> ? Web Developer ? UX Designer ? Software Engineer<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uKV7C3Q8Z2FBXVgwF2JjWM?domain=datacentral.org.au>

datacentral.org.au<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/uKV7C3Q8Z2FBXVgwF2JjWM?domain=datacentral.org.au> ? Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University<https://www.mq.edu.au/>


?

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From luca.cortese at uwa.edu.au  Tue Sep 11 11:56:40 2018
From: luca.cortese at uwa.edu.au (Luca Cortese)
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2018 01:56:40 +0000
Subject: [ASA] The life and death of star-forming galaxies - Registration
 and Abstract submission open
Message-ID: <748E234A-8C2E-4140-9C34-CE4B1ABAD1A8@uwa.edu.au>

**Apologies if you receive this message more than once**

Dear Colleagues,

Registration and abstract submission are now open for

 =================================================
?The life and death of star-forming galaxies? workshop
to be held in Scarborough, Perth, Western Australia
on March 18th-22nd 2019.
=================================================

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/xz8bCmOxDQt2RmpZfGeLqF?domain=icrar.org

Abstract submission will close on November 1st.
Venue capacity is limited to 100 participants, so please do not leave your registration to the last minute.


Rationale
The physical processes driving the evolution of galaxies across the stellar mass vs. star formation rate plane remain elusive. Through decades of multi-wavelength surveys, we have made tremendous progress in characterising the phenomenological properties of galaxies across redshifts. For instance, it is well established that the local galaxy population is mainly bimodal, with star-forming galaxies on one side and passive systems on the other; that galaxies at earlier epochs were forming stars at higher rates than what is observed today, and that passive and active galaxies show clear differences in their stellar structure. However, understanding the physics behind these relations is challenging, partly because of the difficulty of discriminating between simple correlations and physical causation.

An additional level of complication comes from the fact that every physical process invoked to transform a star-forming galaxy into a passive, feature-less one requires at least a few billion years, a time during which even isolated star-forming systems have changed (e.g., grown) significantly. This means that ? for example ? today?s rotating, star-forming disks cannot be naively assumed to be the progenitors of local passive, dispersion-supported systems. Thus, simply comparing galaxies of different types at fixed redshift and/or at fixed stellar mass is unlikely to provide us with a realistic view of the transformation that they have experienced during their lives. Only by identifying the progenitors of different galaxy populations as a function of time will it be possible to reveal the origin of the heterogeneous population of galaxies that we observe today.

This 5-day workshop sponsored by the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D) and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) will focus on 4 key themes (under the general topic of star formation of galaxies across cosmic age), with the aim of summarizing the state of the field, identifying current challenges and discussing ways forward to make significant progress over the life-time of the ASTRO 3D Centre of Excellence.

The four themes are:

  *   The role of bulges on star formation: correlation or causation? We know that passive galaxies are mainly bulge dominated and disks are star-forming, but is there solid observational evidence to support the idea that quenching is driven by (or at least related to) bulge formation?
  *   What regulates the star formation efficiency in galaxies?  What is the evidence for a varying star formation efficiency with galaxy properties and redshift? What are the physical drivers? Does this help understanding how galaxies stop forming stars?
  *   Life in the transition region. Are galaxies in between the blue and red sequences `in transition?? Are they all following the same evolutionary path? Do galaxies cross the transition region only once in their life?
  *   Are we getting closer to reliable star-formation histories of galaxies? Can we link progenitors and progeny across cosmic time?

We envisage an engaging and lively workshop to discuss the status, challenges and prospects for these specific areas of galaxy evolution. The plan is to have 1-1.5 days focused on each theme, each ending with a discussion/brainstorm to summarize where we are, what we do not understand, what is controversial and how can we make progress in the next few years. Each discussion will be co-led by members of the SOC.

This is meant to be a mid-sized workshop with 60-80 participants (with 100 being the absolute maximum).

Key Dates

  *   July 2018: First announcement and pre-registration
  *   September 11th 2018: Abstract submission opens
  *   November 1st 2018: Abstract submission closes
  *   December 1st 2018: Program announced
  *   January 1st 2019: Registration and conference fee payment deadline

Confirmed Invited Speakers:
Louis Abramson (University of California Los Angeles)
Francesco Belfiore (University of California Santa Cruz)
Blakesley Burkhart (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
Kate Rowlands (Johns Hopkins University)
Samir Salim (Indiana University)
Freeke van de Voort (Heidelberg University)
Joanna Woo (University of Victoria)

Scientific Organising Committee
Barbara Catinella (co-chair, ICRAR/UWA)
Luca Cortese (co-chair, ICRAR/UWA)
Elisabete da Cunha (Australian National University)
Luke Davies (ICRAR/UWA)
Brent Groves (Australian National University)
Richard McDermid (Macquarie University)
Trevor Mendel (Australian National University)
Danail Obreschkow (ICRAR/UWA)
Camilla Pacifici (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Karin Sandstrom (UC San Diego)
Emily Wisnioski (Australian National University)
Ivy Wong (ICRAR/UWA)





----------------------
Dr. Luca Cortese
Senior Research Fellow
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
ICRAR-M468
University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009
Australia
+61(0)8 6488 3663
luca.cortese at uwa.edu.au
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/gNeyCnxyErC56JXzuJzpql?domain=corteseluca.wordpress.com
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From suelester at swin.edu.au  Thu Sep 13 14:34:47 2018
From: suelester at swin.edu.au (Susan Lester)
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2018 04:34:47 +0000
Subject: [ASA] Postdoctoral Research Associate in Lens Modelling Position
Message-ID: <MEAPR01MB3335E7584C06C8554808392AE31A0@MEAPR01MB3335.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com>

We are looking for a suitably qualified candidate to fulfil a three year postdoctoral research position for the purpose of conducting research in collaboration with Prof. Karl Glazebrook. Our research will involve modelling of new gravitational lens systems discovered in deep imaging surveys, with a focus on the Dark Energy Survey, in order to constrain cosmology and the properties of dark and stellar matter in galaxies.

This is a 3 year postdoctoral position at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia to undertake research on gravitational lensing as part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D), under the guidance of Prof Karl Glazebrook and within the 'Galaxy Evolution' project of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence "ASTRO 3D".

For more information, please follow the link below.

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/fGQLCjZrzqH9DgvMhWQhks?domain=jobregister.aas.org


Susan Lester
Research Coordinator
ARC Centre for Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics (Astro 3D)
Swinburne University
P O Box 218
John Street
Hawthorn
Victoria 3122
Australia
Ph: +61 3 92148427
Please note my work days are Wednesday/Thursday

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From L.Barnes2 at westernsydney.edu.au  Thu Sep 13 15:52:58 2018
From: L.Barnes2 at westernsydney.edu.au (Luke Barnes)
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2018 05:52:58 +0000
Subject: [ASA] Galaxy Simulation PhD position at Western Sydney University
Message-ID: <BAC6F593-D723-4D51-AFF2-6DA7FF64B27F@westernsydney.edu.au>

The School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics and Western Sydney University invites applications for a PhD student position in theoretical cosmology and galaxy formation. This work will be carried out under the supervision of Dr Luke Barnes and Professor Ray Norris.

About the project
Using supercomputer simulations of galaxy formation, we will investigate the effect of fundamental cosmological parameters on structure in the universe. We will model the formation of galaxies in lumpier and smoother sub-universes, and universes with different amounts of dark matter. Our group has previously explored the effect of the cosmological constant (arxiv.org/abs/1801.08781<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/I3cvCGvmB5igE8ArSKaOTN?domain=arxiv.org>), and will extend and expand this approach, working with a world-leading galaxy formation code.

What does the scholarship provide?

  *   Domestic students will receive a tax-free stipend of $30,000 per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Tuition fees will be supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset.
  *   International students will receive a tax-free stipend of $30,000 per annum to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
  *   All international students are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) policy covering the duration of study, with the scholarship including funding for Single cover.
  *   Support for conference attendance, travel and additional costs as approved by the School.

For eligibility conditions and to apply, see the details here<https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships/current_scholarships/current_scholarships/scem_simulations_of_galaxy_formation_in_alternative_universes>.

Applications close on October 14.

Please share with prospective students.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships/current_scholarships/current_scholarships/scem_simulations_of_galaxy_formation_in_alternative_universes
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From gpoole at swin.edu.au  Fri Sep 14 14:10:26 2018
From: gpoole at swin.edu.au (Gregory Poole)
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2018 04:10:26 +0000
Subject: [ASA] Call for Expressions of Interest - ADACS Scientific Computing
 and Software Development Services - 2019A
Message-ID: <etPan.5b9b34a6.2ec1310c.465@swin.edu.au>

Astronomy Data and Computing Services (ADACS)

Call for Expressions of Interest for
Scientific Computing and Software Development Services - 2019A

EoI Deadline: 9th October, 5pm AEST

A principal component of ADACS is the provision of expertise for the design and development of software tools and infrastructure. In addition to providing resources and support for our major data platforms (e.g. the All-Sky Virtual Observatory project, and the gSTAR data management and collaboration platform), ADACS provides support to other small-to-intermediate scale tools/platforms by providing scientific computing and software development as a service.  Within Q1/2 2019, ADACS will provide the equivalent of a minimum of 1 full-time computational scientist as a resource to the community.  A diversely qualified team will participate, with expertise covering a variety of areas including (but not limited to): system analysis and design, scientific computing, high-performance computing, data science, web development, large-scale scientific databases, cloud computing and scientific visualization.

The allocation of these resources will be merit-based with the final evaluation to be performed by the Astronomy Data and Computing Services Time Allocation Committee.

To ensure effective proposals, we have split the application process into two stages: an expression of interest (EoI) stage where we ask interested parties to submit a one-page (maximum) proposal outlining their scientific objectives, providing the basis of a discussion (to be scheduled following receipt of your EoI) about feasibility, optimal approaches and required resources; and a subsequent round of formal submissions -- shaped by our input -- to be made to the ADACS TAC.

We ask that EOI submissions be kept to no more than one page and provide the following:

  *   a concise description of the proposed project;
  *   expected benefits of the final software product;
  *   if possible, an initial estimate of the required resources.


When considering projects for this process, we also ask that you keep the following in mind: all ADACS development will be open-source, and as such, made publicly available.

Inquires can be directed to Greg Poole (gpoole at swin.edu.au<mailto:gpoole at swin.edu.au>) or Jarrod Hurley (jhurley at swin.edu.au<mailto:jhurley at swin.edu.au>).

The deadline for EoI submissions is the 9th of October, 5pm AEST and should be submitted via email to TAC at adacs.org.au<mailto:TAC at adacs.org.au>. The subsequent application deadline will be approximately 3 weeks after that, but final proposals will be accepted only from those who participate in the EoI process.

The review of EoI applications will proceed on a first-come-first-served basis and we welcome submissions any time from now until the deadline. Processing will commence immediately upon receipt.  We strongly encourage unsuccessful applicants from previous rounds to consider applying for this round.

ADACS is a collaboration between Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, and Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. It is funded under Astronomy National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Program via Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL).



_________________________________

Dr. Gregory B. Poole

ADACS<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/IQfEC3Q8Z2FBV3WxHgdo6l?domain=adacs.org.au> Project Scientist

Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
Swinburne University of Technology
www.astronomy.swin.edu.au/~gpoole/<http://www.astronomy.swin.edu.au/~gpoole/>
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From travis.stenborg at astronomyaustralia.org.au  Fri Sep 14 15:50:36 2018
From: travis.stenborg at astronomyaustralia.org.au (Travis Stenborg)
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:50:36 +1000
Subject: [ASA] 2019A Blanco Call for Proposals
Message-ID: <001a01d44bee$dc723980$9556ac80$@astronomyaustralia.org.au>

2019A Blanco Call for Proposals

 

- Applications for Blanco 4m telescope time under the AAT-CTIO time-swap
arrangement were invited in the recent 2019A AAT Call for Proposals. As a
reminder, semester 2019A (01 Feb 2019 - 31 Jul 2019) proposals are due by:

 

   22 Sep 2018, at 17:00 (AEST)

 

Semester 2019A Summary

 

- The International Telescopes Support Office (ITSO) ceased operations on 30
Jun 2018. Thus, ITSO travel reimbursement for Blanco observing has also
ceased.

- Five nights are available to Australian astronomers. Significant lunation
competition from large surveys is not anticipated this semester.

- The wide-field Dark Energy Camera and COSMOS instrument are available for
Australian proposals. COSMOS is available in imaging, longslit and
multi-object spectroscopy modes.

 

Further Details

 

- Please see the 2019A AAT Call for Proposals webpage for further details:

https://aat.anu.edu.au/science/observing/apply-for-observing-time

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