Astronomy Australia Ltd Member update

Mita Brierley Project Officer, AAL

September 2013 AAL’s context

NCA’s 2006 Decadal Plan called for: “A peak body to coordinate Australia’s astronomical activities and to represent it in international partnerships.” AAL Vision: Astronomers in Australia will have access to the best astronomical research infrastructure. AAL Mission: – Engage with Australian astronomers to advance the national research infrastructure priorities of the decadal plan. – Advise the Australian Government on future investments. – Manage investments.

www.astronomyaustralia.org.au 2 October 2013 2 What is AAL? Vision: Astronomers in Australia will have access to the best astronomical research infrastructure.

www.astronomyaustralia.org.au 2 October 2013 3 Member Representatives

AAO A/Prof Andrew Hopkins Australian National University Prof Matthew Colless CSIRO Dr Simon Johnston Curtin University Prof Steven Tingay Macquarie University Prof Quentin Parker Prof Alexander Heger Swinburne University Prof Karl Glazebrook University of Adelaide Dr Gavin Rowell University of Prof Rachel Webster University of New South Wales Prof John Storey University of Queensland Prof Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop Prof Peter Tuthill University of Tasmania Prof John Dickey University of Western Australia Prof Peter Quinn

4 2 October 2013 Community Representation AAL members elect the Board

AAL Committees appointed by the Board

Vacancies advertised Aug-Sept each year

www.astronomyaustralia.org.au 2 October 2013 5 Grants awarded to AAL

$50,000,000

$45,000,000 NCRIS2

$40,000,000 ASKAP & MWA $6.63M $35,000,000 8m-access $4.30M $30,000,000 AAT $0.54M GMT $0.00M $25,000,000 eResearch $0.19M $20,000,000

$15,000,000 Antarctica $0.10M Pierre Auger $0.05M $10,000,000 AAL $0.37M $5,000,000

$0 Total $12.18M 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

6 www.astronomyaustralia.org.au

AAL-supported projects and facilities Operational facilities: • Gemini & Magellan access • MWA • High-Performance Computing • PLATOs Optical Radio Projects: • Giant Magellan Telescope • HERMES & AAOmega upgrade • ATCA C/X upgrade • ASKAP • All-Sky Virtual Observatory eResearch Antarctica • Pierre Auger cloud detectors

www.astronomyaustralia.org.au 2 October 2013 7 Thank You

Mita Brierley Project Officer, AAL

Astronomy Australia Ltd. P.O. Box 2100 Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 www.astronomyaustralia.org.au [email protected]