Optical Astronomy Observatory Prospectus

Bisdee Tier Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tasmania, australia.

Join us on our road to discovery.

Contact the University of Tasmania Foundation +61 3 6226 1920 University.Foundation@utas.edu.au www.utas.edu.au/foundation/observatoryappeal.htm

“ Advancement of the frontiers of knowledge is a vital role for universities, and takes us, as a society, into the future.

Fundamental research is an integral part of the University of Tasmania, contributing to its identity and sense of purpose.

For those who are excited by the search for the unknown, the joy of discovery and the reward of insight, I commend to you this appeal for a new optical observatory. Your support will be a legacy for the future.”

Professor Daryl Le Grew Vice-Chancellor University of Tasmania

Image credits: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).

Covers and page 6–7: M16, the Eagle Nebula (detail) Page 2–3: Exoplanet HR8799b (artist's conception) Page 8–9: Transiting exoplanet HD189733b (artist’s conception) Page 11: M74 spiral galaxy Page 12–13: NGC 3324 star-forming region Page 15: Perseus A active galaxy

Bisdee Tier Optical Astronomy Observatory, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA. Join us on our road to discovery.

Mt canopus

OUR journey of discovery For over thirty years, astronomers at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) have studied, discovered, uncovered and redefined the universe, as we know it. Thanks to the optical astronomy observatory at Mt Canopus near Hobart in Tasmania, Australia, UTAS has made groundbreaking contributions within the field of astrophysics.

With each new incredible discovery, new questions arise and new tools and techniques are needed to enable us to answer these questions and continue our journey of discovery. It is for these reasons and more that UTAS are constructing a new optical astronomy observatory on Bisdee Tier, Spring Hill, Tasmania.

We invite you to become a part of this innovative and exciting astronomy project that will have significant impact in Australia and throughout the world.

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For over thirty years the observatory at Mt Canopus has served the UTAS optical astronomy team well and has played a significant role in the astronomical community. Some of the important contributions made at Mt Canopus include the discovery of more than ten planets that orbit stars thousands of light years away. UTAS has played a crucial role in measuring the atmospheres of Pluto as well as other minor planets and contributed heavily to the study of million-degree gases, neutron stars and black holes.

the future beckons In recent years the Mt Canopus observatory has become less effective as a scientific facility due to ageing equipment and light pollution caused by nearby commercial and residential development. For these reasons, we need to upgrade our facilities to ensure we can continue to undertake important research, training and education programs. The upgraded site will allow us at UTAS to continue to maintain and enhance our international scientific collaborations.

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OUR PROJECT UTAS is building a new state-of-the-art observatory at a carefully selected location in the Southern Midlands region of Tasmania. This new facility will see UTAS continue as a world leader in astrophysics and enable new and renewed opportunities for programs of discovery. These programs range from one-night student led projects to major decade-long international collaborations with observatories and universities around the world.

$2 million telescope 60% larger than the Mt Canopus telescope

FULLY AUTOMATED OBSERVATORY Access via the internet – at anytime and from anywhere in the world

This project is possible thanks to the generous donation of a new $2 million telescope.

Due to the delivery date of this telescope, the observatory dome must be completed as soon as possible. The aggressive timeline for this project makes fundraising a matter of urgency and an exercise of utmost importance.

Design The new observatory will be fully automated so that observers can control the telescope from the internet – anytime and from anywhere in the world. The observatory will incorporate a state-of-the-art enclosure for control of the thermal environment and airflow over the telescope. This enclosure will also result in the telescope delivering the sharpest possible images. A second building will serve as quarters for observers and provide facilities for students, researchers and visitors.

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NEW FACILITIES

for students, researchers and visitors.

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Location The UTAS School of Mathematics and Physics will construct the upgraded observatory on Bisdee Tier, Spring Hill, Tasmania. The site for the new optical astronomy observatory has been selected under the expert guidance and direction of Dr John Greenhill and is one of the best locations in Tasmania for astronomical observations. A short distance from Hobart, this site provides exceptional accessibility to astronomers, students, staff and visitors. Due to the site’s low air turbulence, sensitive observations will be possible ensuring that images captured at this facility will be as clear as those taken from leading observatories in Australia.

Importantly, this location is virtually free of light pollution and will remain so over the full 50-year lifespan of the project.

147˚17´E Bisdee Tier, Spring Hill

BURNIE launceston

42˚25´S

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HOBART

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$5.8 million total facility cost

$2.2 million contributions needed from friends and supporterS

$2 million

telescope

$3.8 million

building & development

OUR TARGET The total cost of this new facility is $AUD 5.8 million.

This figure includes the $2 million telescope itself as well as the movable dome and optical, electronic and mechanical systems. $3.8 million is dedicated to the building and development of the observatory and surrounding site.

The sale of the current observatory at Mt Canopus and support from UTAS administration will raise approximately $1.6 million while generous contributions from friends of UTAS and supporters of scientific research will enable us to bridge the $2.2 million gap. We ask you to pledge your support to ensure the successful and timely completion of this state-of-the-art facility.

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OUR SCIENTIFIC GOALS AND CAPABILITIES From our unique location, astronomers will be able to study celestial objects that are difficult or impossible to see from more northerly latitudes. The region of sky accessible to the new observatory contains scientifically compelling targets such as the centre of the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds as well as many star-forming regions and galaxy clusters. The new observatory will be one of only two major observatories in the world capable of observing the Magellanic Clouds year round.

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Continuing the search for new planets

Gravitational microlensing

The new observatory will allow UTAS to continue making important contributions to astrophysics without the need to contend with expensive, unpredictable and limited opportunities to use interstate and international telescopes.

A proud member of the Probing Lensing Anomalies Network UTAS is part of the Probing Lensing Anomalies Network, a worldwide organisation that specialises in the use of gravitational micro-lensing in the continuing search for new solar systems and planets. The new observatory will be integral in the research effort to determine the frequency and characteristics of planetary systems around stars other than the sun. UTAS will also have the equipment and expertise to measure Earth-like planets around distant suns.

Continuous Telescope Access Our new facility will allow us to have continuous telescope access for months at a time – something that is not possible when using other institutions’ facilities.

The access at our new observatory will enable postgraduate students to hone their skills and allow them adequate time to experiment and utilise the facility to its full potential. This continuous access will also provide students undertaking their PhD, MSc, or BSc degrees the practical experience necessary to successfully compete for time on major national and international facilities.

PHD RESEARCH

RESEARCH in astrophysics

Scientific study

Continuous telescopic access

The study of celestial objects

PLANETARY OBSERVATION

Venturing beyond the stars UTAS research currently spans scales from planets to stars to galaxies. Other studies include the distortion and disruption of stars in the vicinity of black holes as well as the chemistry, age and orbital trajectories of some of the oldest stars in the universe.

These projects will be continued and expanded upon using the upgraded facility.

The capability of our new facility will be utilised to open new areas of research, including the long-term study of hundreds of stars that have similar characteristics to the sun. This important research is conducted in order to understand the variability of solar energy and its possible effects on terrestrial climate change.

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OUR VISION

RESEARCH HONOURS POSTGRADUATE

The new facility will BE USED for:

STAFF

• astronomical research by honours and postgraduate students and UTAS staff • close, productive collaboration between UTAS and external scientists • hands-on learning and instruction of astronomical techniques and instrument development in optics, computing and electronics

WORLD CLASS

• public outreach activities including visits by school students and community groups as well as regular ‘open house’ events for the general public

COLLABORATION

• continued liaison with the amateur astronomical community.

We are passionate and excited about this innovative project and see it not just as a scientific facility for the University of Tasmania, but as a resource for all who share our curiosity and enthusiasm to understand the universe around us.

We hope you will join us as we embark on this ambitious and exciting journey of discovery.

SCHOOLS COMPUTING COMMUNITY ELECTRONICS

LEARNING OPTICS

DEVELOPMENT

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YOUR SUPPORT Contributions towards the University of Tasmania optical astronomy observatory can be made as one-off donations, periodic donations or through in-kind assistance.

All donations to the University Foundation are tax deductible in Australia. Donations from the United States should be made to the UTAS Foundation USA. DONATE ONLINE: www.utas.edu.au/foundation/observatoryappeal.htm DONATE BY PHONE: 03 6226 1920 DONATE BY MAIL: The University of Tasmania Foundation, Private Bag 40, Hobart Tas, 7001.

Further information: Contact The University of Tasmania Foundation Phone: +61 3 6226 1920 Email: University.Foundation@utas.edu.au US FOUNDATION ONLINE: www.utasfoundationusa.com ADDRESS: PO Box 3995 Ithaca NY 14852-3995

“ As a graduate of the UTAS School of Maths and Physics, I am proud to be the Chair of the Appeal Committee for this exciting new step in our search for new knowledge. I see my role as a way of contributing to the success of our university into the future. I am committed to ensuring that the new optical astronomy observatory will be an outstanding facility for Tasmania and the world.

I hope that you will want to join me in this venture.�

Dr Peter Davis, BSc 1981; BEd 1985 Chair of the Appeal Committee and CEO Aurora Energy

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Join us on our road to discovery.