From ska at industry.gov.au Tue Mar 31 16:10:06 2020 From: ska at industry.gov.au (Australian SKA Office) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 05:10:06 +0000 Subject: [ASA] SKA Project Director's Update - March 2020 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] Message-ID: Welcome to the Australian SKA Project Director's Update, where I give a rundown on developments in building the next generation of radio astronomy capability. Let me start this update by wishing you and the people in your lives all the best during this unprecedented time. While I am keen to keep providing updates on progress towards the SKA, I am also very conscious of the hardships many are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please keep safe and healthy, as Australians and people around the world look to take on this challenge together. The SKA is a big family spanning 13 member countries and the effects of COVID-19 are being felt throughout. The number one priority of governments around the world is to stop its spread, find an effective vaccine and support the best possible return to normality. Representatives of the SKA member countries are continuing to meet regularly to plan a path forward for the project. There is goodwill in the partnership and we will work together to keep the project moving as best as possible. At the most recent SKA Organisation Board meeting in February, the Board agreed to develop the SKA Construction Proposal with the aim of realising the full Phase 1 scope of the SKA; that is the entire 130,000 antennas in Australia and 200 dishes in South Africa in the current baseline design. The SKA is a project that reflects the fundamental optimism and ambition of humanity. It has been conceptualised and planned for decades, and has an intended life-span of many decades to come. While we're yet to see if the pandemic will have any effect on the SKA schedule, preparatory work continues. The SKA's Head Office near Manchester is currently developing the Construction Proposal and Observatory Establishment & Delivery Plan for review by the partner governments. It is no small task bringing such a complex instrument to a design maturity ready for construction to begin. My office, and leading Australian partners including CSIRO and ICRAR, also continue to work closely with the Head Office on all aspects of SKA construction readiness and on our own domestic preparations to host the SKA-Low telescope. The astronomy community has been utilising videoconferences for a number of years, so naturally this continues as a way of remaining productive. Although I am seeing more living rooms in the backgrounds these days! I'm pleased to report that COVID-19 didn't impact Astrofest 2020, conducted in Perth on 29 February. I understand that around 4,500 people attended the event which showcased all forms of astronomy. The SKA had a very popular booth and there was a feeling of genuine pride by some of the attendees that the largest scientific instrument in the world would be constructed soon in their backyard (figuratively speaking). Australia's Astronomer at Large, Professor Fred Watson, also helped out on the booth after giving his presentation on a Universe of Discovery. Speaking of Fred, the latest edition of his Astronomy in Australia newsletter is now available and gives a great update on many astronomy projects and discoveries. The newsletter can be found here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/LE0YCr81nyt2v0oqc7P0Zu?domain=mailchi.mp, and you can also view previous editions and subscribe to future ones. Finally, for anyone who may be looking for some free entertainment, I highly encourage you to tune in to some webinars that Fred will be conducting over the next couple of months. The first webinar is titled 'The Universe for Everyone' and will take place on 1 April at 7.30pm (AEST). Registration is required and you can do so here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/4wP0Cvl1rKiA6jK9hXeGDE?domain=mailchi.mp. That's all from me at the moment. I wish you all good health over the coming months. David Luchetti SKA Project Director UNCLASSIFIED -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au Wed Apr 1 12:12:16 2020 From: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au (Lucyna Chudczer) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2020 12:12:16 +1100 Subject: [ASA] Reminder: Semester 2020B Call for Gemini GSAOI proposals - New opportunity Message-ID: <006301d607c2$959b96a0$c0d2c3e0$@astronomyaustralia.org.au> Dear All, This message is a reminder that the proposals for the GSAOI/Gemini South observing time in Semester 2020B are due on Monday 6 April 2020 at 5pm AEST. The time allocation process for the Gemini telescopes in 2020B is proceeding as intended, despite the current suspension of the science operations at the telescopes due to COVID-19 situation. Regards, Lucyna 2020B Call for Gemini GSAOI Proposals In Semester 2020B the Australian astronomical community will have access to 3.5 nights of observing time with the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI). This opportunity is a result of the agreement between AURA and the ANU team that constructed the NGS2 enhancement to the Gemini South multi conjugate adaptive optics system. The NGS2 system was commissioned in October 2019 (see attached the article published in Gemini Focus). The new NGS2 system allows the use of fainter guide stars - the previous limit with the old system was R=15.5 in good conditions. During commissioning the loop was closed on a R=18 star in average conditions. This results in a huge improvement of the sky coverage for GeMS (2.5 magnitude is approximately equivalent to a gain of 8 times in sky coverage). Acquisition times have also been reduced by almost tenfold. The ANU team was awarded a total of 7 nights of guaranteed time, which they have kindly offered to the Australian community via this open call for proposals process. This allocation will be split between the 2020B and 2021A semesters. All proposals will be reviewed and assessed by ATAC. The observing time will be allocated in 'classical' mode, which means that observations will be scheduled for specific nights. All observers are required to cover their own expenses for travel to Chile and accommodation at the observatory. Applicants are encouraged to consider pooling their requests and/or allocations in order to minimise the amount and cost of travel. Proposals for GSAOI observations on the Gemini South telescope in Semester 2020B (1 Aug 2020 - 31 January 2021) are due by *5:00pm AEST, Monday 6 April 2020.* How to apply Gemini proposals must be submitted using the 2020B release of the Phase I Tool (PIT) that can be downloaded from: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/DjE7C81V0PTPlXmkFnW1k8?domain=software.gemini.edu Please use the following page for a step-by-step guide and tutorials for submission of proposals using the Phase I Tool: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/S1uBC91WPRTNvzJOfE2fV7?domain=gemini.edu ol-pit/phase-i-tool-help For information about GSAOI and full details on instrument status, please see: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/_LncC0YKPvigKknyt2BeGh?domain=gemini.edu as well as the official Gemini Observatory Call for Proposals at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/aJrVCgZ0N1iwrqvBC3RQsb?domain=gemini.edu For more information contact the ATAC Secretariat: Street Address: AAO - Macquarie University 105 Delhi Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia E-mail: aat at astronomyaustralia.org.au Web: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/gWlDCjZ1N7iG2YzOS1cehp?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer Program Manager Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office) E: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au W: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/zgdOCk81N9tX7kDwF8n32n?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au/ AAL is committed to equity and diversity and endeavours to create an environment in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1036 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: NGS2_GeminiFocus.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 405771 bytes Desc: not available URL: From krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au Thu Apr 2 11:03:16 2020 From: krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au (Krzysztof Bolejko) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 00:03:16 +0000 Subject: [ASA] ANITA elections - results Message-ID: Dear ASA Members, The ANITA Chapter (Australian National Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics) has finalised its election process. The newly elected Members of the Steering Committee are Ashley Ruiter Darren Croton Isabella Gerrard Isobel Romero-Shaw Ivo Rolf Seitenzahl Roland Crocker Ilya Mandel was elected to be the Chair, and Daniel Price moved to the role of Immediate Past Chair. Kind regards, Krzysztof Returning Officer -- Krzysztof Bolejko Senior Lecturer in Physics School of Natural Sciences | College of Sciences and Engineering University of Tasmania Private Bag 37 Hobart TAS 7001 +61 3 6226 2234 | 0404 090 893 utas.edu.au [Electronic Signature] CRICOS 00586B [cid:e5c1ae9f-7e4d-42b0-9f59-8c38a41cad89] University of Tasmania Electronic Communications Policy (December, 2014). This email is confidential, and is for the intended recipient only. Access, disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance on any of it by anyone outside the intended recipient organisation is prohibited and may be a criminal offence. Please delete if obtained in error and email confirmation to the sender. The views expressed in this email are not necessarily the views of the University of Tasmania, unless clearly intended otherwise. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Outlook-vc1t0oob.png Type: image/png Size: 22882 bytes Desc: Outlook-vc1t0oob.png URL: From gpoole at swin.edu.au Thu Apr 2 16:33:30 2020 From: gpoole at swin.edu.au (Gregory Poole) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 05:33:30 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Call for Expressions of Interest - ADACS Merit Allocation Program, 2020B Semester References: Message-ID: <5fbf652a-9df0-4266-a722-3c12a8512436@Spark> Astronomy Data and Computing Services (ADACS) Merit Allocation Program Call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) - 2020B Semester EoI Deadline: Friday 17th April, 2020 @ 8pm AEDT Expressions of interest are now being accepted for the ADACS Merit Allocation Program. The Astronomy Data and Computing Services (ADACS) Merit Allocation Program is changing considerably this semester. There are now three types of support available (note that while we continue to have calls for 2 semesters per year - semester A starting in January & semester B starting in July - not all support is available every semester): 1) Training Support In A and B semesters, members of the Australian astronomy community are invited to apply for personalised / bespoke face-to-face or online ADACS training. Enquiries regarding the Training Support Program should be sent to Rebecca Lange (rebecca.lange at curtin.edu.au). 2) Long-Term Support In B semesters (such as this), members of the Australian astronomy community are invited to apply for Long Term Support (launched in the 2019B semester and previously called Embedded Support). Projects that can demonstrate the benefit of having an ADACS technical staff member join their team for between 0.5 - 1.0 FTE effort for a duration of 12 months are encouraged to apply. The aim of this program is to add long term value to existing investments and to assist in the optimisation of existing workflows, software and processes. Enquiries regarding the Long-Term Program should be sent to adacs at pawsey.org.au . 3) Software Support Otherwise, the process for applying for software support in A and B semesters is largely unchanged from before with one exception: training can now be incorporated into these projects as well. For new capabilities developed through an ADACS Software Support Project, examples of appropriate training include: * proper use of new tools/optimisations, etc. in HPC environments; * Training in the use of technologies leveraged in the development cycle of the project (e.g. to enable science teams to conduct ongoing support, add further features, etc.) Inquiries regarding the Software Support Program can be directed to Gregory Poole (gpoole at swin.edu.au) or Jarrod Hurley (jhurley at swin.edu.au). How does the program work? The allocation of all resources will be based on impact and scientific merit, with the final evaluation performed by the Astronomy Data and Computing Services Time Allocation Committee (see https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/r3kcCYW8Nocp4xm2c0UXzk?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au). To ensure effective and program-appropriate proposals, there will be a three stage application process: 1. In the first instance all researchers are asked to submit an expression of interest (EoI). We strongly encourage both successful and unsuccessful applicants from previous rounds to consider reapplying. 2. An ADACS staff member will then be in touch to organise a formative discussion with the ADACS technical team. This will be processed immediately upon receipt on a first-come-first-served basis and we welcome submissions any time from now until the deadline. 3. Following discussions with the ADACS technical staff, applicants will then be able to make a formal support application that will be assessed by the ADACS TAC. The final application deadline will be ~4 weeks from the EoI deadline (details of this process will be provided during the EoI process). When considering applications for this process, please consider that all ADACS development will be open-source and as such, made publicly available. In addition, all training will be kept inclusive, open and available to the broader community. Note that all applicants must participate in the EoI process in order for a final submission to be accepted. EoI submissions EoI submissions should be informative but not more than one page and should provide a concise description of the intended project and its goals. The EoI should provide sufficient information to form a basis of subsequent technical discussions with ADACS technical staff. Important areas to consider during the EoI process include: * feasibility of the project; * scope and limitations (i.e. what exactly will be part of this project?; what will not?); * expected outputs and outcomes; * approach to be used; * visual summary (process map) for Long-term and general Software Support projects; * constraints and dependencies (including resources needed to support the project); * implementation and ongoing requirements (post ADACS support period). The format of EoI submissions should be as follows: * Please submit as a pdf document * Please state which of the three support programs you are expressing interest in: ?Training Support?, ?Long-Term Support? or ?Software Support? * Please include the following sections: * Project Background * A one-paragraph description of the scientific background to the project * Project Goals * Give a description - as you understand it - of the work that you are seeking ADACS to perform * Resource Requirements * Will your project have external dependencies? * Will you require computing or storage access? If so, how will you secure it? * Text must be black type using a highly legible 12pt font such as Arial or Times New Roman, and single column on white A4 size paper with at least 0.5 cm margins on all sides. The deadline for EoI submissions is the 17th April, 2020 @ 8pm AEDT. EoI applications should be submitted via email to TAC at adacs.org.au. Enquiries regarding the ADACS Merit Allocation Program overall - including the EoI process - should be directed to Gregory Poole (gpoole at swin.edu.au) or Jarrod Hurley (jhurley at swin.edu.au). About ADACS ADACS is a collaboration between Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, and Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. It is funded under the Astronomy National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Program via Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL). ADACS provides astronomy-focused training, support and expertise to allow the Australian astronomy community to maximise the scientific return from its investments in data and computing infrastructure. ADACS provides support to tools/platforms covering the full range of scales by providing scientific computing and software development as a service. A diversely qualified team will participate in the program 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 visualisation. Please visit https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/38aCCZY1Nqi8pNA9cjmEqs?domain=adacs.org.au to learn more about ADACS and the ADACS Merit Allocation Program. Gregory B. Poole Astronomy Data Science Coordinator Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology [photograph] I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People and their Elders past and present who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Swinburne?s Australian campuses are located. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 6B554A9A60064B7DB8D49502DEC73767.png Type: image/png Size: 7842 bytes Desc: 6B554A9A60064B7DB8D49502DEC73767.png URL: From Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au Thu Apr 2 21:37:00 2020 From: Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au (Cathryn Trott) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 10:37:00 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Cancellation of APRIM, and ASA events Message-ID: Dear ASA Members, You will have seen earlier the email delivering the unfortunate news of the cancellation of APRIM, to have been held in Perth in July 2020. I am sure you will appreciate the reasons for this decision. I want to personally thank George Heald, Barbara Catinella, and the other APRIM organisers, for the work to bring APRIM to where it was, and also their dedication to ensuring the best outcomes for the meeting and the community. They have worked very hard over the past months, and this decision was not taken lightly. I would also like to thank Adam Watts and the HWSA organising committee for their work to organise the Rottnest Island HWSA in the days preceding APRIM. The HWSA for 2020 will also be cancelled, unfortunately. The 2020 ASA Annual Scientific Meeting was to be incorporated into APRIM. Given the cancellation, and the ongoing uncertainty in the longevity of travel restrictions, the 2020 ASM will not go ahead in a normal form. ASA Council are discussing possible avenues for any 2020 events. We expect the next normal ASM to be held in July 2021, with the regular full week schedule of talks, meetings and the AGM. As per the ASA Constitution, the Annual General Meeting will be held in 2020. We envisage this to be a remote AGM, to be held in July 2020. Further details to follow. ASA Council will also work with the ASA Prize Winners for 2020 to find a suitable time and vehicle for them to deliver their prize talks to the membership. The situation has been, and will continue to be, very dynamic and difficult to navigate. I hope that we can continue to provide support to each others and flexibility in our work, both as a community of astronomers, but also a community of friends. Regards, Cathryn _______________________________________________________ Cathryn Trott Associate Professor ARC Future Fellow President, Astronomical Society of Australia ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D) International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research Curtin University Bentley WA, Australia cathryn.trott at curtin.edu.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Cormac.Reynolds at csiro.au Fri Apr 3 18:51:53 2020 From: Cormac.Reynolds at csiro.au (Reynolds, Cormac (CASS, Kensington WA)) Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2020 07:51:53 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Online ATUC Meeting 22-23 April 2020 In-Reply-To: <1583298596.9310.21.camel@csiro.au> References: <1583298596.9310.21.camel@csiro.au> Message-ID: Dear Users of the Australia Telescope National Facility, due to the travel restrictions currently in place, the previously advertised ATUC meeting on 22 and 23 April will now take place as an online-only meeting. There will be no possibility to participate in person at the ATNF site in Marsfield. A draft agenda and details for remote participation are available from the ATUC web pages: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/lnJtC0YKPviM2zzkiwGF5B?domain=atnf.csiro.au In addition to the usual items, the Parkes update will include a lengthened discussion of receiver rationalisation, including potential decommissioning of legacy receivers, and a discussion of the science case and funding for a high frequency wideband receiver. As usual, if there are any issues you'd like to be raised at the next meeting, or if you would like to offer praise or feedback on ATNF activities, please contact any member of ATUC (https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/lnJtC0YKPviM2zzkiwGF5B?domain=atnf.csiro.au). Regards, Cormac Reynolds (for ATUC) -- --------------------------------- cormac.reynolds at csiro.au +61864368748 CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science --------------------------------- From ilya.mandel at monash.edu Sat Apr 4 09:30:22 2020 From: ilya.mandel at monash.edu (Ilya Mandel) Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2020 09:30:22 +1100 Subject: [ASA] Announcing release of COMPAS rapid binary population synthesis code Message-ID: <5F988423-90B9-4C52-8534-2B58CFDBF4ED@monash.edu> Dear colleagues: Team COMPAS (Compact Object Mergers: Population Astrophysics and Statistics, see https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/EGXiCOMKzVT022OrIE8_Tb?domain=compas.science ) is proud to announce the first public beta release of our rapid binary population synthesis code and suite of tools for statistical analysis and model selection. The code was initially developed to explore the formation of gravitational-wave sources through isolated massive stellar binary evolution (e.g. Stevenson et al., Nature Comm. 8 14906, 2017), but has since been expanded to explore Galactic double neutron stars and radio pulsars, X-ray binaries, luminous red novae, and other consequences of massive binary evolution. The beta release code is available for download from https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2acsCP7LAXfo556AI0EF2l?domain=github.com . While all are free to use the code as described there, we particularly welcome users who wish to contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance and improve the code, ranging from better evolutionary models to more sophisticated emulation techniques. Please feel free to contact us at compas-user at googlegroups.com with any queries. Best wishes, Team COMPAS