AUT - Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research
Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research
Director
Professor Sergei Gulyaev
Email: SGulyaev@aut.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 921 9541
Deputy Director
Tim Natusch
Email: Tnatusch@aut.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 921 8689
The main objectives of the Institute are:
to develop Radio Astronomy and its Earth Science applications in New Zealand
to promote Trans-Tasman co-operation in Radio Astronomy and Earth Science
to develop a Trans-Tasman VLBI network for research in Astrophysics and Space Science
to establish International VLBI Service (IVS) network station in New Zealand:
- for monitoring tectonic plate motion, Earth rotation and Earth orientation parameters
- for monitoring the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) as the basis for the World Geodetic System (WGS)
- to monitor the Celestial Reference Frame as the basis for spacecraft navigation
to develop new digital receiving technology for Radio Astronomy
to develop modern methods of broadband data communication for Radio Astronomy
to prepare specialists in the field of Radio Physics and Radio Astronomy able to maintain new generation of ICT and radio technology
to prepare a foundation for NZ, together with Australia, to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy - a great time to focus on all the big questions.
What is our place in the universe? Are we alone in the Universe? How are galaxies born? What is the dark matter?IRASR offers teaching in Astronomy and exciting research in a range of projects associated with Radio Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Geodesy. IRASR is equipped with a modern 12m radio telescope and a supercomputer based on IBM Cell BE platform and running the IBM InfoSphere Streams specialised software.
Radio Astronomy
Radio Astronomy, and particularly the technique of VLBI (Very Large Baseline Interferometry), has added a lot to the fundamental understanding of basic scientific questions. Much has been contributed to the knowledge of the structure, evolution and ultimate fate of the universe. The structure of our own galaxy can only be deduced from studies of radio waves that enable us to penetrate the thick layers of dust that block our view in the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Fundamental theories of Physics can in many cases only be tested in energy regimes that are impossible to achieve in the laboratory, but are typical for Deep Space objects. The technique of VLBI is also essential in the development of Geoscience based models of Earth crustal movements and Earth rotational dynamics, providing a means of establishing the necessary fundamental frame of reference.
VLBI and its modern version, e-VLBI , continues to provide engineering challenges, requiring very high speed data communications, high speed and massive data storage, advanced data processing methods, ultra precise timing systems and extremely sensitive radio receivers operating at radio frequencies. It provides an ideal vehicle for driving developments in the areas of High Speed Data Communications, Supercomputing and advanced Microwave and RF design. To facilitate the development of the sciences and technologies mentioned AUT has established an Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research (IRASR).