Monash University to host annual meeting of Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA)

Astronomical Society of Australia

Australia's leading astrophysicists and astronomers will converge on Monash University for the annual scientific meeting of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA).

The Monash Centre for Astrophysics (MoCA) is hosting Australia's premier astronomy event, which returns to the University after an absence of 22 years. Monash is also hosting the Harley Wood Winter School, an annual networking and learning event for postgraduate students taking place prior to the conference.

The ASA conference comprises a week of lectures, presentations and panel discussions canvassing the big issues in space research - from stars, planets and galaxy formation to supernovae that signal the deaths of giant stars, as well as solar astrophysics and the technological advances that support this research.

Tuesday afternoon will be devoted to "A New Era in Australian Radio Astronomy", where the capabilities of ASKAP - CSIRO's radio telescope and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinder, as well as the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) will be discussed.

These instruments, currently operational in the West Australian desert, are key technology testbeds for the Square Kilometer Array. When complete, this facility will provide unprecedented information about the Universe - including the formation and evolution of the first stars and galaxies, the disposition of cosmic magnetism, and even the nature of gravity and the possibility of life beyond Earth.

A special panel discussion earlier that day on science communication will include Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt from the Australian National University and Catalyst presenter, Dr Graham Phillips.

Conference organiser Dr Duncan Galloway of MoCA said he and his colleagues were delighted to be hosting the meeting.

"The ASA conference is really significant as it provides a comprehensive snapshot of activity in the field. It also shows just how strong the astronomy discipline is in Australia," Dr Galloway said.

"I think the fact that Monash is once again hosting the ASA meeting reflects the resurgence in astronomy and astrophysics that we've experienced in recent years. MoCA was founded in 2011, and within the centre we're undertaking some really exciting research projects - many of which will be presented at the conference."

As part of the conference, the annual Harley Wood lecture will be delivered by Associate Professor Charley Lineweaver of the Planetary Science Institute, Australian National University at 7.30pm Tuesday 9 July. More information on Associate Professor Lineweaver's talk, "The Birth, Life and Death of our Planet... and of the Universe" is available on the MoCA website