Radio Astronomy

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Radio AstronomyThe Government of Western
Australia A Beautiful Friendship Kelly Kranz
LittleThe Office of Science and Innovation
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Introducing OSI

• The Office of Science and Innovation was created
  in 2002 by Premier Dr Geoff Gallop, Minister for
  Science.
• The Government of WA, through OSI, is committed
  to supporting Radio Astronomy in WA.
• Why? Because WA can offer Australia radio
  astronomy a competitive edge

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Our History

• OSI and the Government of WA has a history of
  working with astronomy organizations on projects
  such as
• SKA
• LOFAR
• MWA
• ESA Deep Space Ground Station
• Only state government body to be a member of the
  2001 MNRF Gemini and SKA Australias Astronomy
  Future

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Astronomy in WA
Ionospheric Prediction Service,Learmoth
Future Radio Observatory SKA site,Mileura
ESA Deep Space Ground Station,New Norcia
Australian International Gravitational
Observatory, Gingin
Perth Observatory,Bickley
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Mileura

• Government Land (Pastoral Lease)
• Low population density ? extremely radio quiet
• Excellent location
• Sky coverage
• Remoteyet not too far
• Array configuration

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Mileura

• Government Land (Pastoral Lease)
• Low population density ? extremely radio quiet
• Excellent location
• Sky coverage
• Remoteyet not too far
• Array configuration

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Current Activities and Plans

• Government Interaction
• OSI are facilitators and co-ordinators

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Current Activities and Plans

• Steps to establishing an observatory
• Radio Quiet Zone
• Mining Act (Section 19)
• Land Administration Act

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Current Activities and Plans

• Financial Support for Infrastructure
• Optical Fibre
• Power
• Roads
• Buildingsetc

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Current Activities and Plans

• Support for the Science
• Premiers Fellowship in Radio Astronomy
• WA Supercomputing Project
• Facilitating Outreach

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Current Activities and Plans

• Support for the Science
• Premiers Fellowship in Radio Astronomy
• Expressions of Interest open 24/12/04 and close
  28/2/05
• WA Supercomputing Project
• Facilitating Outreach

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2006-2015 Decadal Plan

• Message
• Recognize that the Mileura site will become one
  of the top radio observatories in the world.

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2006-2015 Decadal Plan

• Interest is already being generated for potential
  projects to be located at the Mileura site.
• Message
• Help us decide which projects should be allowed
  on site to ensure that wonderful science will
  happen.

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2006-2015 Decadal Plan

• Message
• Help us to build up a generation of astronomers,
  physicists and technologists positioned in Perth
  and regional areas to take full advantage of the
  SKA being located in WA.

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Talk to us!