ANSTO welcomed Prof Warrick Couch who gave a science lecture on cosmology, galaxy formation, and the discovery of other worlds, as part of our distinguished lecture series.
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The Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) is Australia’s national optical astronomy observatory. The primary functions of AAO include: operating the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) at Siding Spring Observatory in north-west New South Wales; supporting Australian astronomers’ use of this telescope and larger 8m-class telescopes overseas; developing and constructing state-of-the-art instrumentation and related technologies for these telescopes; and finally to conduct and facilitate research with these telescopes.
A key challenge in performing these functions is to ensure that optical astronomy in Australia remains internationally relevant and competitive, and that its researchers continue to produce high impact science in what is a very competitive global environment.
In his talk, Professor Couch will detail how the AAO have risen to this challenge, specifically through its instrument technology development program, which has given the AAT capabilities that are unrivalled anywhere else in the world. This telescope has enabled scientists to conduct world-leading research in the areas of cosmology, galaxy formation, and the search for ‘habitable’ planets around other stars.
About the speaker
Prof Warrick Couch has over 35 years experience in the fields of observational cosmology and galaxy evolution, and was a member of the Supernova Cosmology Project.
Published: 06/08/2014