Local Links
Research Institutions
ICRAR – The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
www.icrar.org
CIRA is a founding member of ICRAR along with the radio astronomy group of UWA.
The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research is a collaborative centre based in Perth, Western Australia. Already achieving research excellence in astronomical science and engineering, ICRAR has grown steadily since its launch in September 2009.
CIRA – Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy
cira.ivec.org
CIRA is the Curtin University node of ICRAR, with research focusses in Engineering and the Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory. The radio astronomers and engineers employed by Curtin University are based in the Brodie Hall Building in Technology Park, across the road from the main university campus.
Perth Observatory
www.perthobservatory.wa.gov.au
The Perth Observatory is Australia’s oldest continuously operating professional observatory and Western Australia’s premier astronomical institution. The Observatory has served the state of Western Australia for over 100 years, providing information and education services, and conducting internationally recognised research.
UWA – Astronomy & Astrophysics
www.astro.uwa.edu.au
UWA Astronomy and Astrophysics is the other founding member of ICRAR, focussing on science and high-performance computing.
Australian International Gravitational Research Centre
www.gravity.uwa.edu.au
The Australian International Gravitational Research Centre is part of the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA). It was established in 1990 to enable a cooperative research centre providing a national focus in a major frontier in physics: the detection of gravitational waves and the development of gravitational astronomy. Through strong national and international participation, the research centre concentrates on the development of advanced technologies driven by the goal of the next generation large scale gravitational observatory construction.
Astronomy for the public
Gravity Discovery Centre
www.gdc.asn.au
The Gravity Discovery Centre is designed to show bright young people that there is a huge future for science and exploration. It is designed to allow students to experience the joy of finding things out for themselves – the joy of knowledge and understanding, and it is designed to encourage young people to be the scientists and technologists
of tomorrow while contributing to society's broader, deeper understanding of science.
Scitech
www.scitech.org.au
Scitech is an interactive science museum with exhibitions, programs and services designed for people of all ages. Scitech features interactive ways for visitors to discover more about the world and the science of how things work and was the first Australian Science centre to produce their own large scale exhibitions and continue to design and built most exhibits on site. In 2004 Horizon – the Planetarium was opened, a major new facility showcasing astronomical full-dome screen movies.
Horizon – The Planetarium
www.scitech.org.au
Horizon – The Planetarium is an indoor theatre presenting high-tech, multimedia shows about our night sky, the solar system and beyond. The digital projection system displays stars, planets and other celestial bodies on its 18 metre dome screen, the largest dome screen in the Southern Hemisphere. Horizon uses SkyVision, the same system installed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. The images are simulations, rather than photos, but are all based on fact. Some of the world’s leading astrophysicists have helped to produce them, using data from NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)] and research from astronomical researchers around the world, including Melbourne’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University.
Learmonth Solar Observatory
www.ips.gov.au/Solar/3/1
The Sun is the lifeblood of our planet. It provides us directly with heat, light, and indirectly with food and most of our energy. However, another mostly unseen aspect to the Sun’s influence is its effect on the Earth’s upper atmosphere and the near-space environment. This space weather is becoming increasingly apparent as society becomes more technologically dependent. Areas as diverse as radio communication and navigation, satellites and space exploration, geophysical prospecting and submarine detection, long pipelines and large electrical grid networks, aurora and animal migration are affected. It is the task of Learmonth Solar Observatory to monitor the variability of the Sun, the source of these natural effects on a diverse range of human activity.
The Science Network WA
www.sciencewa.net.au
ScienceNetwork WA is an exciting project developed by Scitech in partnership with the Office of Science, Technology
and Innovation. Based at Scitech in Perth, ScienceNetwork WA provides Western Australia’s entire scientific community with a valuable opportunity to promote science and technology research and developments to industry peers, schools, universities, the media, and the general public. Scientists, educators, students, researchers, media and interested members of the public will find ScienceNetwork WA an informative and illuminating site that provides news, events, industry profiles, career opportunities and more from all corners of science in WA.
Astronomy WA
www.astronomywa.net.au
Astronomy WA was created as part of the ASISTM (Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics) Earth and Beyond project, which aims to bring about real and permanent improvements to the ways in which science, technology and mathematics are taught in our schools. The objectives for this website are to promote astronomy with a strong focus on Western Australia’s contributions to the subject, and to provide useful resources for teachers, students, and others, professional or amateur, with an interest in the field. The Current Projects section contains information on current projects in WA including radio, optical, and gravitational astronomy.
Gingin Observatory
www.ginginobservatory.com
Stargazing and astronomy are fun at Gingin Observatory, only an hour north of Perth. It’s a special place where you can delight in the wonders of space, stargaze through telescopes to see planets, stars and more, chat with astronomers and see a laser beam tour of the constellations during an entertaining night!
Amateur Groups
Astronomical Group of Western Australia
www.btow.com.au/agwa.shtml
The Astronomical Group of Western Australia (AGWA) provides activities and networking for amateur astronomers,
with or without their own telescope.
Astronomical Society of Western Australia
aswa.info
ASWA continues to strive to bring the joy of astronomy within reach of the public and to provide a forum for amateur astronomers of all persuasions to gather together and enjoy this unique hobby. Aims of the society include the stimulation of a popular interest in astronomy, the association of observers for mutual help and their organization in the work of astronomical observation and to promote astronomical research by amateurs.
Western Australian Radio Observatory (WARO)
members.westnet.com.au/waro
The WA Radio Observatory has its roots in the old Mt Gungin Radio Observatory located in Bickley, near the Perth
Observatory. Recently, Mt Gungin Radio Observatory joined forces with the Queensland SETI [Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence] Institute and moved its operations to Golden Grove, Lower Chittering – a township just north of Perth. The Golden Grove site is an orange grove located in a beautiful valley in Lower Chittering. The radio dishes used for making radio observations of astronomical objects share their ground with orange trees, sheep and chooks!
