From Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au Mon Feb 1 10:24:12 2021 From: Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au (Paul Francis) Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:24:12 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Call for SSO 2/3m proposals Message-ID: <37CE534D-A1F2-407F-88CE-6D981AA33C3A@anu.edu.au> 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 May 2021 - 31st July 2021 is 23:59 February 15, 2021. NOTE - Only remote observations will be permitted in the short term due to COVID-19. WiFeS is the only instrument available (The Echelle and Imager have been decommissioned). Observing proposals must be submitted electronically via the RSAA web pages. Full instructions are available at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HN7hCMwGxOtKGyrDUw5EB0?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au . *************************** PLEASE NOTE *********************************** The ANU 2.3-metre telescope at Siding Spring Observatory is scientifically productive and a valuable resource for student training and instrument development. These diverse and significant benefits justify its continued operation for the foreseeable future. The full cost to the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) of operating the 2.3m telescope (including staff, maintenance and repairs) corresponds to approximately $1800 per night. To defray this cost, RSAA is offering priority on the 2.3m telescope to paying customers from Australia and elsewhere, while simultaneously ensuring a level of open access to astronomers at all Australian institutions. 60% of the telescope time will be allocated to paid priority proposals, which will need to contribute $900 per night towards the running costs of the telescope. The remaining 40% of the time is open-access and remains free. To be eligible to apply for open-access time, 50% or more of the proposers must be based at Australian institutions. In future years the price of a priority night will increase, and the fraction of open-access nights will decrease. Full details can be found at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/q5d-CNLJyQUK1qWJU4-oOp?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au The latest information on using the telescope and its instruments can be found at http://https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GQFxCOMKzVTVoL8lCkK9-z?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au *************************************************************************** If you have questions or technical problems in using the web-based submission process, please email tacinfo at mso.anu.edu.au. Paul Francis Chair, ANU TAC ============================= Prof. Paul Francis ANU Distinguished Educator, 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 2601 Australia paul.francis at anu.edu.au https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XYQICP7LAXfYq1w9ijuUQP?domain=mso.anu.edu.au CRICOS Provider #00120C -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From alexander.heger at monash.edu Mon Feb 1 13:15:48 2021 From: alexander.heger at monash.edu (Alexander Heger) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2021 13:15:48 +1100 Subject: [ASA] CoE on Transient Observations, Cosmic Explosions, Stellar Calamities, and the like Message-ID: <945ff8c0-eeb6-2553-5519-a454ab38e14c@Monash.edu> Dear Colleagues, We are soliciting expressions of interest from potential chief/associate investigators for a proposed new ARC Centre for Excellence (CoE) bid in the field of Transient Observations, Cosmic Explosions, Stellar Calamities, and the like. Transient science is entering a new era.? The skies are not static and transients are one of the pillars of astronomy. Understanding the formation, evolution, and deaths of stars underpins all areas of astrophysics - such as reionisation and galaxy formation, measuring dark energy, planet formation, high-energy particles, gravitational waves, and cosmic chemical evolution.? Far beyond the enormous growth in the recent two decades, we will soon be facing an unprecedented flood of observations and data from the Vera Rubin Observatory (VRO) in Chile, which will detect hundreds of thousands of transients powered by a wide range of physics, along with transients from upcoming space missions, and other all-sky surveys.? Being ~8 hours behind VRO and in the same hemisphere, Australia is in a unique position to follow up on newly discovered or fast-evolving transients, leveraging our radio, IR, optical, and high-energy transient facilities and Antarctic involvement, and our multi-wavelength observational, data analysis, and modelling expertise.? This is on top of current research in other transient hot topics, such as fast radio bursts, super-luminous supernovae, off-axis gamma-ray bursts, and fast blue optical transients.? With VRO first light in about a year, now is the unique time for a concerted effort in Australia. Goals of the Centre: -------------------- 1) Coordination of multi-wavelength coverage of all transients 2) Fast and early coordinated observations of transients 3) End-to-end theoretical modelling effort and model identification of observed transients 4) Building of new instrumentation, telescopes, and data infrastructure to fulfil our science goals 5)Integration of models and observations, place constraints on unknown physics and model parameters The Centre will place Australia as a leader in transient science with the novel and necessary full coordination in both observational and theoretical efforts in detection, follow-up, instrumentation, data analysis, and modelling.? It will take specific advantage of Australia?s unique location and facilities.? At the core, we want to bring together observers with different expertise and theorists to all speak the same language, e.g., providing observational quantities in theorist?s units and vice versa, to facilitate integrated understanding of transients and to build up data resources for the science community and the public.? Covering a young field with a large potential for growth, the Centre will provide opportunities for professional development and exploration of new ideas and technologies.? Large data sets that cannot yet all be adequately analysed in an automated way alone, and with new data arriving on a daily basis, the Centre will offer many opportunities for active and continuous community involvement, outreach, and education, over a wide range of target groups. If you are interested in being kept in the loop/being further involved with the Centre of Excellence bid for transient sciences, please complete the survey before Friday Feb 5 (link below) with the following in mind: * What synergies with such a CoE could you envision, for your own science and beyond? * Please suggest interesting science ideas, and connections to the Australian Science Community and Australian facilities. * For expressions of interest, please fill in form at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/eFhXCROND2u9PJYlS9Mt_E?domain=docs.google.com * An expression of interest does not constitute any commitment to this CoE. At this stage, it is only for the purpose of discussing ideas and directions. Next steps: ----------- * Meeting 1?4pm AEDT for interested parties to present their science cases (likely 3rd week of February) * Down-select science topics and add detail to science case (anticipated Early March) * Based on CE20, you may be CI on up to two EOIs, similar to DPs; AIs need not be named on the EOI. * RMS opens 8 June, 2021, RTNA 14 July 2021, EOI due on July 28, 17:00 AEST. * Each centre is supposed to be evaluated on its own right. The Centre is planned to start as soon as funding becomes available (2023) and to run for a full 7 years, i.e., January 2023 - December 2029. On behalf of the organisers, Alexander Heger ________________________________________________________________ Dr Alexander Heger Professor web: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/bBWFCVARKgCrj7BKHz-PQ7?domain=2sn.org School of Physics and Astronomy phone: +61-3-9905-4478 19 Rainforest Walk fax: +61-3-9905-3637 Monash University, Vic 3800 mailto: Alexander.Heger at monash.edu Australia From Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au Tue Feb 2 10:23:57 2021 From: Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au (Cathryn Trott) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2021 23:23:57 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Reminder: Call for bids to host the 2022 ASA Annual Scientific Meeting Message-ID: Dear ASA Members, This is to remind you that the deadline for bids for hosting the 2022 ASA Annual Scientific Meeting and Harley Wood School for Astronomy are due this Friday. Please see the previous message below for details. Regards, Cathryn 2022 ASM and HWSA The ASA Council is seeking bids from institutions wishing to host the 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting of the ASA and the 2022 Harley Wood School for Astronomy (HWSA). Council is seeking bids that include face-to-face and virtual/online access to the meeting, to have greater flexibility for attendance of future ASA events. In 2022, the ASM meeting dates are suggested to be Monday July 4 - Friday July 8, 2022. The HWSA is usually held in the days preceding the ASM. These dates are chosen to align with school holidays in most states. Details of the guidelines for the bid can be found at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/QnHgCQnMBZfGAKrNixNdEv?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au Bids must be submitted by Friday February 5, 2021 for consideration by ASA Council in its February meeting. Please direct any queries to me. Regards, Cathryn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ilya.mandel at monash.edu Wed Feb 3 09:03:40 2021 From: ilya.mandel at monash.edu (Ilya Mandel) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2021 09:03:40 +1100 Subject: [ASA] ANITA workshop registration In-Reply-To: <983CE6BA-CB95-4168-8FBD-49D9395983FE@monash.edu> References: <5FDF56A8-A99F-4431-816D-D9B0C1C5317E@monash.edu> <983CE6BA-CB95-4168-8FBD-49D9395983FE@monash.edu> Message-ID: <63C19A3B-D353-44F9-9080-F88AB9E3227D@monash.edu> Dear colleagues: We have hit the mark of 100 registrations for the ANITA 2021 workshop, which may well be our record so far! We are still accepting registrations (in fact, you must register in order to receive the workshop zoom link), but the talk schedule is now full. You can see our very exciting schedule of 41 talks, spread over the next three weeks (Monday and Friday, noon-2 PM AEDT, from 8 February), at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8VZTCvl1rKimZ4PwCQNb_n?domain=asa-anita.github.io. We look forward to seeing you at the ANITA workshop! Best wishes, Ilya on behalf of the ANITA steering committee > On 25 Jan 2021, at 10:00 am, Ilya Mandel wrote: > > Dear colleagues: > > Thank you very much to those of you (almost 50 as of this morning) who have already registered for the ANITA workshop. If you have not yet registered, please remember to do so by January 31 via https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/3u5lCwV1vMfMnP4lSqPBSK?domain=asa-anita.github.io . In particular, if you are interested in giving a talk, please be sure to register by this date. Early career researchers are particularly encouraged to participate and contribute talks. > > Best wishes, > Ilya on behalf of the ANITA steering committee > > > >> On 7 Jan 2021, at 9:09 pm, Ilya Mandel wrote: >> >> Dear colleagues: >> >> ?he 2021 ANITA (Australian National Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics) workshop registration is now open. Please register via https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kntiCxngwOf6jBgEFY0V3N?domain=asa-anita.github.io by January 31. >> >> As a reminder, we will hold an online-only workshop this year. The workshop will take place over zoom starting the week of 8 February, 2021. To avoid zoom poisoning, we will hold the workshop over multiple two-hour sessions, running Monday noon ? 2 PM AEDT and Friday noon ? 2 PM AEDT over several consecutive weeks (the exact number of sessions to be determined based on the number of talk submissions). As always, early career researchers are particularly encouraged to contribute talks. Theoretical Astrophysics should be interpreted in the broadest sense, and we welcome all relevant contributions. >> >> We will hold the ANITA school on the topic of Green Computing (software optimisation, etc.) at a later date. We hope to be able to host an in-person school if possible, but there will be an opportunity to participate online-only. >> >> On behalf of the ANITA steering committee, >> Ilya >> >> P.S. https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/3u5lCwV1vMfMnP4lSqPBSK?domain=asa-anita.github.io is a direct registration link. >> >> === >> Ilya Mandel >> Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics >> School of Physics and Astronomy >> Monash University, Australia >> https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/TzFaCyojxQTv3JQOhRe3Ar?domain=ilyamandel.github.io >> >> > From wnanayakkara at swin.edu.au Wed Feb 3 13:39:36 2021 From: wnanayakkara at swin.edu.au (Themiya Nanayakkara) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2021 02:39:36 +0000 Subject: [ASA] IAU ECA Online Discourse Series 2021 Message-ID: <9311A166-8EF5-408E-B2CF-1ADEA0257F92@swin.edu.au> Please see below for the new series of the online IAU JM discourse series with Australian friendly times. Everyone welcome, register here: https://forms.gle/sWoB7uxT2sWKEJQq8 > Dear colleagues, > > > > The IAU Early Career Astronomer (ECA) Online Discourse Series is going to kick off for 2021 in just a few weeks! This virtual series contains career discussions in academia and industry, multifaceted science highlights, professional development trainings, and more. All events are tailored to early career astronomers. The full descriptions of the coming four events are provided in the attachment. Two are held on EMEA-friendly and two on APAC-friendly time zones (recordings will be made). > > > > Thursday February 25th, 2021: 9:00-10:00 UTC / 10:00-11:00 CET > > "Preparing for a new era in astronomy" > > Dr. Philippa Hartley (SKA Organisation, Jodrell Bank Observatory) > > > > Thursday March 25th, 2021: 16:00-17:00 UTC / 17:00-18:00 CET > > "Satellite Mega-Constellations and Astronomy: the phantom menace, or a new hope?" > > Dr. Olivier Hainaut (ESO) > > > > Thursday April 29th, 2021: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM AEST > > ?Quantifying and Managing Uncertainty? > > Dr Richard Scalzo (DARE, University of Sydney) > > > > Thursday May 27th, 2021: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM AEST > > ?Exploring the Universe Without Costing the Earth? > > Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker (Curtin University) > > > > Participation is free. All you have to do is fill out the event registration form no later than 24h (UTC) in advance of the subsequent event: > > https://forms.gle/sWoB7uxT2sWKEJQq8 > > > The discourses will be made available to you via Zoom and Youtube. You will receive a confirmation upon registration directly from Google Forms with the connection information. > > > > Recordings of these upcoming events will be available alongside select past events on our Youtube channel: > > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQsB5LY2Tv_tj9ddVdnPuw > > > We look forward to many of you joining us in this new year for our exciting series! > > > > Warm regards, > > Maria Drozdovskaya & Fatoumata Kebe, co-Chairs > > On behalf of the entire Organizing Committee: > > Camilla Danielski, Christopher Moore, Eleanor Sansom, Ga?l Buldgen, Sudeshna Boro Saikia, Themiya Nanayakkara > > > > P.S.: We welcome any and all feedback you may have on our past events and/or any activities of our Working Group (anonymously): > > https://forms.gle/Wg4PBy5FPHRmdQAS9 > For any queries, you may reach the Organizing Committee at: iaujuniormember at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: smime.p7s Type: application/pkcs7-signature Size: 1418 bytes Desc: not available URL: From George.Heald at csiro.au Thu Feb 4 11:09:54 2021 From: George.Heald at csiro.au (Heald, George (CASS, Kensington WA)) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 00:09:54 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Applications open for CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowships Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce the availability of two Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO: CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Stellar System Habitability https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/01ycCJyBrGfGMOoxhV14ew?domain=career10.successfactors.com Queries about this position: George Heald (george.heald at csiro.au) Postdoctoral Fellow in Pulsar Astronomy https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Gk5gCK1DvKTgpKkLuvBDgj?domain=career10.successfactors.com Queries about this position: Simon Johnston (simon.johnston at csiro.au) Applicants with no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience are welcome to apply by March 15, 2021. Further details including formal position descriptions and links to the application submission system are available online via the links above. Please forward these opportunities to suitable candidates. George Heald CSIRO Science Leader CASS/Perth ATNF Science Team Leader W https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kfebCL7EwMfx8q2LhPebeL?domain=people.csiro.au E george.heald at csiro.au T +61 8 6436 8758 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington WA 6151, Australia -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au Thu Feb 4 17:52:29 2021 From: Cathryn.Trott at curtin.edu.au (Cathryn Trott) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 06:52:29 +0000 Subject: [ASA] 2021 ASM/HWSA Save The Dates announcement Message-ID: Dear ASA Members, The official 2021 ASM and HWSA website can be found here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/d51tCK1DvKTgwPDvhMqYBB?domain=blogs.unimelb.edu.au Please bookmark the site and stay tuned for more exciting content in early 2021. Kind regards Christian Reichardt and Kim Dorrell _______________________________________________________ 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 krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au Fri Feb 5 15:13:48 2021 From: krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au (Krzysztof Bolejko) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2021 04:13:48 +0000 Subject: [ASA] ASA Prizes - Bok Prize - deadline extended 29 March 2021 Message-ID: Dear ASA Members, The Conditions for the 2021 ASA Bok Prize have been amended. The ASA Council decided that for the year 2021 only, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement that the ?thesis accepted by an Australian university in the previous calendar year? is extended to include ?the current calendar year but not later than the official deadline for submitting the nominations?. Accordingly, the deadline for submitting nominations has been extended till Monday 29 March 2021. Kind regards Krzysztof -- 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 utas.edu.au [Electronic Signature] CRICOS 00586B [cid:79743411-bd37-4240-a340-0466cf10a18d] 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-3uusl3zi.png Type: image/png Size: 22882 bytes Desc: Outlook-3uusl3zi.png URL: From krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au Fri Feb 5 15:14:20 2021 From: krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au (Krzysztof Bolejko) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2021 04:14:20 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Reminder - ASA Prizes - CLOSING DATE: 15 February 2021, Bok extended till 29 March 2021 Message-ID: A reminder to submit nominations for the following ASA prizes: * Bok Prize for outstanding research in astronomy by an Honours or eligible Masters student, * Charlene Heisler Prize for the most outstanding PhD thesis in astronomy or closely related field, * Louise Webster Prize for outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career, * Anne Green Prize for a significant advance or accomplishment by a mid-career scientist, * David Allen Prize for the best contribution, or series of contributions which portrays an astronomical theme in an exciting and educative way. CLOSING DATE for the Bok Prize is Monday 29 March 2021. CLOSING DATE for the Heisler, Webster, Green, Allen: is Monday 15th February 2021. Bok Prize - Closing Date: Monday 29 March 2021 For most outstanding Honours/Masters thesis in astronomy or a closely related field. Eligible Masters students are those who have entered their Masters degree directly from a 3 year undergraduate degree (without undertaking an Honours year). All degree requirements must have been completed before 29 March 2021. A maximum of 2 nominations can be submitted by an Australian university and nominations must be endorsed by the Head of Department and submitted by the candidate?s supervisor. Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 38% (2020), 62% (2019), 0% (2018), 29% (2017), 50% (2016), 83% (2015), 50% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2Z0dC3QNPBi13M7Qfg8alR?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au Charlene Heisler Prize - Closing Date: Monday 15th February 2021 For most outstanding PhD thesis in astronomy or a closely related field. The PhD thesis must have been accepted (but not necessarily conferred) by an Australian university during 2020. A maximum of 2 nominations can be submitted by an Australian university and nominations must be endorsed by the Head of Department and submitted by the candidate?s supervisor. Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 45% (2020), 38% (2019), 44% (2018), 43% (2017), 25% (2016), 40% (2015), 33% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/ChPrC4QOPEiNPWY1Tx-bAI?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au Louise Webster Prize - Closing Date: Monday 15th February 2021 For outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career, based on the scientific impact of a single research paper (within astronomy or a closely related field), which has the applicant as first author. The applicant is required to have been an ASA member for at least two years prior to nomination for the award and have had their PhD conferred within five years prior to the nomination deadline (acceptable leaves of absence from active research will be taken into consideration when determining eligibility). Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 50% (2020), 50% (2019), 100% (2018), 0% (2017), 0% (2016), 100% (2015), 33% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/I8ZgC5QPXJim8KgGtyxfkN?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au Anne Green Prize - Closing Date: Monday 15th February 2021 For a significant advance or accomplishment by a mid-career scientist, based on a nominated body of work that supports the scientific accomplishment and the subsequent impact of the research (within astronomy or a closely related field). The nominated body of work must have been published in refereed scientific journals, appearing in final published form within 5 years prior to the nomination deadline. The applicant is required to have been an ASA member for at least two years prior to nomination for the award and have had their PhD conferred 5 to 15 years prior to the nomination deadline (acceptable leaves of absence from active research will be taken into consideration when determining eligibility). Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 40% (2020), 40% (2019), 50% (2018) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BYIQC6XQ4Lf2k9VKS5V4yY?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au David Allen Prize - Closing Date: Monday 15th February 2021 For the best contribution, or series of contributions which portrays an astronomical theme in an exciting and educative way. The scope of the activity can be quite broad such as public presentations, popular writing, sustained media and outreach events, on-line activities and/or any innovative and creative activity that achieves astronomy outreach. The activity must have been undertaken in Australia, by an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an Australian institution, and have been published, performed or have occurred within three (3) years prior to the closing date of entries. Previous winners of the David Allen Prize are ineligible for nomination. Please follow the nomination guidelines at: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/arRNC71R2NT5M6EkiqLmDq?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au Submissions should be emailed to the ASA Prizes and Awards Coordinator, Krzysztof Bolejko: krzysztof.bolejko at utas.edu.au Kind regards, Krzysztof Bolejko -- 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 utas.edu.au [Electronic Signature] CRICOS 00586B [cid:93679330-f3f3-448d-8ce6-62085328c6dc] 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-ql0weqta.png Type: image/png Size: 22882 bytes Desc: Outlook-ql0weqta.png URL: From lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au Fri Feb 5 16:25:46 2021 From: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au (lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2021 16:25:46 +1100 Subject: [ASA] 2021B Anglo-Australian Telescope Call for Large Program Proposals Message-ID: <00fb01d6fb7f$5b97c620$12c75260$@astronomyaustralia.org.au> 2021B Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) Call for Large Program Proposals Background: The AAT Consortium aims to provide opportunities for astronomers to make effective use of the AAT's unique capabilities to address major scientific questions through Large Programs using any of the following general-user instruments at the AAT: 2dF+AAOmega, 2dF+HERMES, KOALA and Veloce. The calls for Large Programs are issued annually. This Call: The AAT Consortium is issuing this request for Large Program proposals to commence from Semester 2021B onwards, receiving an initial allocation of time up to the end of 2025A, but noting that allocations may need to be reviewed subject to the funding available to the AAT Council after June 2022. All proposals will be evaluated by the Australian Time Allocation Committee (ATAC) and up to three external experts will be called on as expert reviewers. Ambitious projects are encouraged; in some past semesters, Large Programs have been allocated almost 50% of the available time. Existing AAT Large Program commitments are listed at https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/znwqCyojxQTvREV4fZUEbh?domain=aat.anu.edu.au Deadline: Proposals for Large Programs should be submitted to ATAC by 16 March 2021 at 17:00 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time; UTC + 11 hrs). Submission: All proposals should be submitted with the AAT's online application system Lens ( https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mYBgCzvkyVClAvVrHXooq7?domain=lens.datacentral.org.au), which will open on 1 March 2021. The Lens system has recently been transitioned into Data Central. Any issues or bugs encountered by proposers should be reported to Simon O'Toole (simon.otoole at mq.edu.au ). For the additional user support please contact Shona Madoc, AAL Program Administrator at lens_support at astronomyaustralia.org.au. Non-standard page limits and section headings will apply as outlined below. The case for a proposed Large Program must include: 1. A major, compelling and feasible scientific program. The proposal should focus on key questions that the observational data would address, but should also outline anticipated secondary uses of the data by the broader community. 'Major' in this context will generally mean programs requiring 50 nights or more (there is no set upper limit), possibly extending over several semesters. The science will be expected to be ground-breaking and not just incremental. Proposers need to discuss what their program will achieve in comparison with other on-going and future programs on similar timescales. The scientific program should be described in no more than 5 pages (including figures, tables, and references). 2. An observing strategy describing the provision of the input target sample; the detailed plan for the observations (number of nights including the standard allowance for weather, cadence of time-critical observations, and total duration of the project); the proposed instrumental setups; constraints on weather conditions or timing of observations; signal-to-noise or other figures of merit required to achieve the science goals; and any special support needed for the observations. The number of targets, required data quality, sensitivity limits and other relevant information should be rigorously justified. Programs requiring multiple visits to the same field should present a strategy for updating targets to achieve optimum efficiency. The observing strategy should be described in no more than 2 pages. 3. A management plan outlining the collaboration involved in the program; the sharing of responsibilities for scientific management; the planning of observations; the carrying out of observations; data reduction; quality control at each of these stages; data release to the community and compliance with International Virtual Observatory Alliance standards; and finally, data analysis and exploitation by the proposing team. Specifically, the plan should address the following issues. a. Data reduction procedures and requirements: what are the team's specific data reduction needs and their capacity to support these needs? b. Funding: what resources have been secured (or are being secured) to support team personnel, and what is the duration of this funding? c. Observing management: what observing experience (directly applicable to the AAT instrument to be used) do team members have, and how many have indicated a willingness to participate in observing runs? The AAT Consortium expects all Large Program teams to be self-supporting at the AAT, with a team of observers who are already trained in the operations of the instrument(s), and able to train other team members to the required level of competence, without additional support from AAT staff. d. Observatory support: Large Program teams are expected to assist the Observatory in maintaining Instrument User Manuals, and in monitoring the long-term performance of the instruments they use. The teams will be required to report on these activities every semester. The plan should outline the roles of all team members and how members contribute to carrying out the program. Proposers may also wish to suggest a publication strategy, including the process for determining authorship. The management plan should be described in no more than 2 pages. 4. A project timeline, including the observational and analysis aspects, with milestones for regular reviews by ATAC during the program. 5. An outreach plan. Proposers should plan for significant public outreach, and the proposal should explain the broader impact of the project. The timeline and outreach plan, together, should be described in no more than 1 page. Teams: Proposers are encouraged to form broad collaborations across the Australian and international communities in support of their programs. The Principal Investigators for Large Programs will generally be expected to commit to the project as the prime focus of their research over the program's duration. Proposers should also familiarise themselves with ATAC's Policies and Procedures (see https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2rVYCANpgjCyzMqRt963M5?domain=aat.anu.edu.au and the existing AAT Large Program commitments (see https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/xZJHCBNqjlCQO32nUjyoRI?domain=aat.anu.edu.au. Anonymous proposal reviews: The AAT Consortium places a high value on equity and integrity and is trialling implementation of a dual-anonymous proposal review process for regular proposals in 2020/2021. Currently Large Programs are excluded from this trial. However, in moving toward the goal of full implementation of the anonymous review process, the ATAC and external referees will conduct their assessment of Large Programs without seeing any of the names associated with the proposal. Proposers are asked to prepare proposals in accordance with the Anonymity guidelines listed below. The goal is to enable reviewers to focus on the science, not the scientist. Several studies have shown that a reviewer's attitude toward a submission may be affected, even unconsciously, by the identity of the lead author or principal investigator (see the Anonymous-Double Blind Review Annotated Bibliography). Anonymity Guidelines for Proposers These guidelines will help conceal the identities of the proposers and ensure a fairer proposal evaluation process. 1. Do not include author names or affiliations anywhere in the proposal text. This includes but is not limited to page headers, footers, diagrams, figures, or watermarks. This does not include references to past work, which should be included whenever relevant (see below). 2. Referencing is an essential part of demonstrating knowledge of the field and progress. When citing references within the proposal, use third person neutral wording. This especially applies to self-referencing. For example, replace phrases like "as we have shown in our previous work (Doe et al. 2010)" with "as Doe et al. (2010) showed..." Do not refer to previous projects using AAT or other observatories in an identifying fashion. For instance, rather than write "we observed another cluster, similar to the one we are proposing under AAT program #XXXXX," instead write "AAT program #XXXXX has observed this target in the past..." 3. We encourage references to published work, including work citable by a DOI. It may be occasionally important to cite exclusive access datasets or non-public software that may reveal (or strongly imply) the investigators on the proposal. We suggest proposers use language like "obtained in private communication" or "from private consultation" when referring to such potentially revealing work. 4. Do not include acknowledgements for any grant funding. Selection: The number of Large Programs to be awarded time will be determined by ATAC with a preference for a small number of very high quality programs delivering high impact science as quickly as possible. Within these guidelines, ATAC will award time based on considerations including the relative scientific merit and impact of Large Programs, long-term programs and standard programs; the quality of the management, publication and outreach plans; and the phasing of programs to provide a steady rollover of Large Programs for the longer term. A panel of independent expert referees will be asked to provide comments on the proposals, and proposers will be given the opportunity to respond to the referees' comments. The proposers will be asked to submit biannual progress reports. At its discretion ATAC may seek progress reports (which may be refereed) at various stages of the project. Contact: Anyone considering submitting a Large Program should contact the SSO Director ( director.sso - at - anu.edu.au ) to discuss their plans. Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer | Program Manager ATAC Technical Secretary Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office) P: +61 2 9372 4842 E: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/4bgYCE8wmrtrNKXqcQJtsM?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.png Type: image/png Size: 5319 bytes Desc: not available URL: