Research in Astronomy
The Macquarie University Research Centre for Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrophotnics (MQAAAstro) grew out of our Concentration of Research Excellence (CORE) and is now one of the largest and fastest growing astronomy groups in Australia. We are a highly active centre of astronomical research excellence. We have close ties to the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) and CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science (CASS), both of which are close to campus. These strong links offer valuable synergies and opportunities for collaborations in observational astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, astrophotonics, science education, and Aboriginal astronomy. Explore below for current research, collaborations, and available projects.
Click here for a full list of departmental publications on ADS.
Strengths: Wide-field astronomical surveys; optical/IR studies of planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, stellar populations and proper motions, galactic dynamics, structure, and evolution; radio and mm studies of masers and planet/star formation. AAAstro has close ties with the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) that operates the 4m AAT at Siding Spring Observatory and CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science (CASS) which operates several radio telescopes across NSW/ACT and Australia.
Faculty: Quentin Parker, Orsola De Marco, Dan Zucker, Michael Ireland, and Mark Wardle (radio).
Scholarships: PhD and Summer Vacation scholarships are available for projects in observational astronomy. Please visit the scholarships page for more information.
Strengths: Theoretical studies of physical and dynamical processes in the interstellar medium; magnetohydrodynamics; star and planet formation; protoplanetary discs; the Galactic Centre; galactic dark matter, and black holes.
Faculty: Mark Wardle.
Scholarships: PhD and Summer Vacation scholarships are available for projects in theoretical astrophysics. Please visit the scholarships page for more information.
Strengths: Optical interferometry, diffraction-limited high-contrast imaging, integrated photonic and single-mode spectrographs, Fibre Bragg gratings, astronomical applications of direct laser write waveguides, smart focal plane technologies.
Faculty: Jon Lawrence and Michael Ireland.
Scholarships: PhD and Summer Vacation scholarships are available for projects in astrophotonics. Please visit the scholarships page for more information.
Strengths: The Aboriginal Astronomy Project - Exploring the astronomical knowledge and traditions of Indigenous Australians in close collaboration with the Department of Indigenous Studies. Disciplines include archaeoastronomy, ethnoastronomy, historical astronomy, geomythology, and Indigenous knowledge. Click here for the project blog.
Faculty: Ray Norris (CASS/Indigenous Studies) and Duane Hamacher (Indigenous Studies).
Scholarships: PhD and Summer Vacation scholarships are available for projects in Aboriginal Astronomy. Please visit the scholarships page for more information.
