From gpoole at swin.edu.au Mon Sep 28 13:36:48 2020 From: gpoole at swin.edu.au (Gregory Poole) Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:36:48 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Reminder: Call for Expressions of Interest - ADACS Merit Allocation Program, 2021A Semester References: Message-ID: This is a reminder that the deadline for Expressions of Interest for the 2021A semester of the ADACS Merit Allocation Program is this Friday, 2nd October. See details below: Astronomy Data and Computing Services (ADACS) Merit Allocation Program Call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) - 2021A Semester EoI Deadline: Friday 2nd October, 2020 @ 8pm AEST Expressions of interest are now being accepted for the next semester of the ADACS Merit Allocation Program. Those who could benefit either from training or the development effort of software professionals are encouraged at this time to submit a simple one-page document expressing their project idea. ADACS staff will then follow-up with applicants to organise a discussion with a goal of organising a final application, to be due the first week of November. Note: all applicants must participate in the EoI process in order for a final submission to be accepted. Please visit this link for specific EoI instructions and for more details about the program. ADACS is a collaboration between Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University. It is funded under the Astronomy National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Program via Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL). 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: 7E8F0B978083479D90797F7AC8CCC30D.png Type: image/png Size: 7842 bytes Desc: 7E8F0B978083479D90797F7AC8CCC30D.png URL: From ska at industry.gov.au Wed Sep 30 09:23:21 2020 From: ska at industry.gov.au (Australian SKA Office) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2020 23:23:21 +0000 Subject: [ASA] SKA Project Director's Update - September 2020 [SEC=OFFICIAL] Message-ID: <0278cbe40892483d8ada6fd743d5f190@PPAC01EXC008.PROD.PROTECTED.IND> Good morning Please find attached the latest edition of the SKA Project Director's Update. The update provides all the latest news on the Square Kilometre Array Project, including information on: * Progress to establishing the organisation that will build and operate the telescopes in Australia and South Africa. * The work packages that Australia will be allocated * Jobs with the SKA Organisation * Recent science discoveries using the SKA's precursor telescopes. Kind regards Australian SKA Office OFFICIAL -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Director's Update - September 2020.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 719680 bytes Desc: Director's Update - September 2020.pdf URL: From lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au Wed Sep 30 16:00:49 2020 From: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au (Lucyna Chudczer) Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:00:49 +1000 Subject: [ASA] Reminder - Semester 2021A Call for Gemini GSAOI proposals **Unique opportunity for Australian astronomers** Message-ID: <017b01d696ef$0c9882c0$25c98840$@astronomyaustralia.org.au> 2021A Call for Gemini GSAOI Proposals In Semester 2021A the Australian astronomical community will have access to 4.5 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. The total allocation was 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. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions prohibit international travel from Australia and it is unlikely that this situation will change in the 2021A Semester. The classical mode observations will be taken by the Gemini Observatory staff, with remote assistance (control) from PI teams. The Observatory has a good experience with such operations and will work with the individual teams to ensure the best strategy for their observations and the quick access to the raw data. Proposals for GSAOI observations on the Gemini South telescope in Semester 2021A (1 February 2021 - 31 July 2021) are due by *5:00pm AEST, Monday 6 October 2020.* How to apply Gemini proposals must be submitted using the 2021A release of the Phase I Tool (PIT) that can be downloaded from: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/td-MCvl1rKin8XJktQIWDi?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/3-ppCwV1vMfExp5wtqmW7q?domain=gemini.edu ol-pit/phase-i-tool-help Note that you need to select the "Guaranteed Time" option to submit you proposal. See the image below. For information about GSAOI and full details on instrument status, please see: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HkMTCxngwOf5vOpWSYkNjV?domain=gemini.edu as well as the official Gemini Observatory Call for Proposals at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5LVACyojxQTPonGBHR2uhv?domain=gemini.edu -proposals For updates about the COVID-19 measures at the NOIRLab and Gemini South, please see: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mQwFCzvkyVCYqLXjfoEYzk?domain=noirlab.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/6mysCANpgjCKOYxDSMem4f?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/cEfdCBNqjlCXKoxLfv5l5z?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... 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Name: NGS2_GeminiFocus.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 405771 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ ASA mailing list ASA at mailman.sydney.edu.au Change membership status or contact information via ASA's Edit Membership page https://asa.wildapricot.org/Edit-Details From Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au Thu Oct 1 10:00:49 2020 From: Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au (Christopher Lidman) Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2020 00:00:49 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Vale Frank Freeman Message-ID: <0292F9DB-F2DC-400F-9F8C-0F6E5F69EFF9@anu.edu.au> We are sorry to announce that Frank Freeman has passed away aged 79. Frank Freeman is well known to many in the Australian and British astronomical communities as a member of the AAO/AAT team. Frank had worked at the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment when he saw an advertisement in the New Scientist magazine for specialist staff to operate and support the recently constructed Anglo-Australian Telescope. He had also worked in Australia on UV telescopic astronomical observations flown on sounding rockets launched from the Woomera range. Frank joined the AAO in December 1977 and quickly established himself in his new role where his knowledge and skills greatly contributed to the efficiency of observing. His high vacuum and cryogenic systems experience was applied to the aluminising and the arrival of the first cryostat for the infrared photometer/spectrometer. These were quickly added to by the arrival of the CCDs and other infrared instruments. Frank applied his rigorous and methodical approach to his night assisting which when combined with his knowledge of the telescope and instruments provided great support to the observers. Achieving the maximum efficiency of the telescope and instrumentation was paramount and woe betide any observer who turned up unprepared. Often Frank applied his analysis skills in crafting custom software from first principles to investigate instrumentation and detector performance as well as a variety of other observatory issues. People warmed to Frank's gregarious and engaging personality. He enjoyed life and socialising with people. Embracing the move to Coonabarabran he quickly engaged with the community becoming involved in the Lion's service club and the golf club as a keen golfer and senior committee member. He also continued to play rugby for some time with much younger players and could sometimes be seen a little sore and sorry on Monday after a tough match. Having moved from Britain he quickly grew to love his adopted country, particularly 4WD fishing expeditions to the far North of Queensland with his mates. He enjoyed touring in the outback and reading the stories of the bush. Family life was important to Frank and brought him much joy. He had met Cynthia during his earlier trip to Australia and enjoyed recounting their story, although sometimes moderated by Cynthia. Always willing to share his knowledge he helped many to develop their skills and expertise. He interacted with people of all levels who shared his striving for excellence and motivation. He was confident managing up and down. Contributions were made in many areas including the development of site staff responsibilities, reviewing and refining of the telescope schedule and developing work practices for the cryogenics and high vacuum equipment. He did not seek the limelight instead choosing to ensure that the job got done as a team. He made a great contribution to the success of the Anglo-Australian Telescope. Frank was a wonderful friend and colleague and we will all miss him. He is survived by Cynthia, Debbie, Frank and Catherine. Frank will be privately cremated with a celebration of his life to be held at a future date. Friends and Colleagues of Frank Freeman -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jrmurray at swin.edu.au Thu Oct 1 11:35:17 2020 From: jrmurray at swin.edu.au (James Murray) Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2020 01:35:17 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Advertisement for Program Manager Role at Astronomy Australia Limited Message-ID: Dear ASA members, Astronomy Australia Limited is seeking a new full time Program Manager, to be part of a team that oversees research infrastructure projects and facilities involving astronomical observatories and high performance computers. The role will be located in the Melbourne office (Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Campus). The position is for one year with the possibility for renewal. For further details on the position and how to apply, please use the following link to our website: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Kd7AC91WPRTW0OyXCoKFii?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au Applications close at 9am on Monday the 26th of October. Any further questions can be directed to applications at astronomyaustralia.org.au or via phone to James Murray on 0409703929 ______________________________________________ Dr James Murray Director of Operations Astronomy Australia Ltd T: 03 9214 8426 M: 0409703929 E: james.murray at astronomyaustralia.org.au W: astronomyaustralia.org.au P: P.O. Box 2100 Hawthorn VIC 3122 My normal work days are Monday to Thursday [aal_logo_notext] 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... 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