John O'Byrne B.Sc., Ph.D. (Sydney) Grad.Cert.Ed.Studies(Higher Education) (Sydney) Company Directors Course Diploma (AICD) Senior Lecturer, Chair, Academic Programs Committee School of Physics Institute of Astronomy University of Sydney

Room 568 School of Physics University of Sydney NSW 2006 Phone: +61-2-9351-3184 Fax: +61-2-9351-7726 Email: j.obyrne@physics.usyd.edu.au

Brief CV (Jan. 2007 - pdf format)

Research Interests

• Astrophotonics
• Multi-wavelength imaging of nearby face-on spiral galaxies to determine recent star formation history.
• Multi-band optical filters for astronomy.
• DAZLE - a narrow band system to image high redshift galaxies. The instrument was designed by the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO) under contract to the Cambridge Institute of Astronomy (IoA) in Cambridge and saw first light on the VLT in late 2006.
• Adaptive Optics and its applications in Astronomy and Confocal Microscopes. I Spent several months in 2001 working with the AO group at the University of Durham. More recently I have been involved in a proposal for an ARC Reserarch Network in Adaptive Optics for Australian Astronomy, Medicine, Industry and Defence.
• Optical Stellar Interferometry, in particular the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI).
• Optical Metrology systems, including use of confocal systems.

• Carrick Institute Discipline-based Initiative in Physics investigating Service Teaching, Laboratory-based Teaching and Graduates in the Workforce (leader of Working Party on Graduates in the Workforce).
• AUTC project on Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Development in Physics (member of Working Party).
• Report (pdf) on the semester 2 2004 trial of the MasteringPhysics Assignment/Tutorial system in PHYS 1003 Physics 1 (Technological).
• The Astronomy Diagnostic Test, southern hemisphere version

Other work-related Interests

• My principal job is currently as Chair of the Academic Programs Committee in Physics, with responsibility for all teaching in the School of Physics
• Principal contact for School of Physics Alumni.
• Member, School of Physics External Relations Committee and Academic Programs Committee (local access only).
• Member, Faculty of Science Learning and Teaching Committee.
• Over 20 years experience in Modern Astronomy courses in the University of Sydney's Continuing Education Program (i.e. adult education), including viewing nights at Mt Wilson in the Blue Mountains (see more information and maps), and recently including bus tours to astronomical facilities.

• Secretary of the Astronomical Society of Australia, the organisation of professional astronomers in Australia.

• Member of the National Organising Committee (NOC) and Chair of the Finance sub-committee for IAUXXV - the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union - held in Sydney in July 2003.

• Member of the Finance sub-committee of the International Astronomical Union.

• Member of the Working Group organsing Australian activities for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.

• Consulting editor, author, or contributing author for a variety of popular astronomy books for adults and children, notably Skywatching, Astronomy in Australian Science - Expanding the Frontiers by Focus Publishing. Most recently, The Illustrated Atlas of the Universe by Weldon Owen Publishing.

Contact me at:
Room 568
School of Physics
University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Phone: +61-2-9351-3184
Fax: +61-2-9351-7726