Australian Astronomy Network

The aims of this network are to enable all Australian Astronomers to have a higher scientific impact with their research, to ensure that we maintain our world-leading position in atronomical research and exploit our capacity to build the next generation telescopes. Crucial to these goals is the nurturing and launching of our postgraduates into the international arena at prestigious institutions and the plan to make Australia a prefered destination for top overseas graduates. Astronomers are already a collegial group but the rapid advance of information technology and the sheer scale of the next generation telescopes means we need to forge stronger and more innovative links between our existing groups, industry and cross-discipline partners and international consortia. The diagram shows the structure of the network and its capacity to expand with new opportunities.

This network builds on two proposals funded under the ARC Special Research Initiatives Scheme:

• SR 0354527 Frontier technologies, prototypes and strategic positioning for the international radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array
• SR 0354794 Australian e-Astronomy

The final form of the proposed network is currently under discussion, but may broaden significantly from the concepts awarded seed funding.

This Australian Astronomy Network website has been prepared with the assistance of Australian Research Council (ARC) funding announced 12 December 2003 under their Special Research Initiatives program.