The Anglo-Australian Telescope

Australia's largest optical telescope, the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) at Siding Spring Observatory, is operated using funding from a consortium of thirteen Australian universities (“the AAT Consortium”), and these operations are governed by the AAT Council. The telescope Operator for the Consortium is the Australian National University (ANU), with AAL playing the role of Manager of those operations on behalf of the AAT Consortium.

Information relevant to the governance of the AAT is presented on this page. For information on the telescope, observing and operational matters, please see the ANU's AAT webpage.

AAT ​Council​

The AAT Council has governance oversight of AAT's operation. All of the Consortium's thirteen universities and AAL have representation on the AAT Council:

• Matthew Colless (ANU)
• Chris Tinney (UNSW, Chair)
• Karl Glazebrook (Swinburne)
• Julia Bryant (USyd)
• Mark Wardle (Macquarie)
• Simon Driver (UWA)
• Tamara Davis (UQ)
• Christian Reichardt (UoM)
• Brad Carter (USQ)
• Michael Brown (Monash)
• Steven Tingay (Curtin)
• Andrew Cole (UTas)
• Miroslav Filipovic (UWS)

​Council Documents

• Council Resolutions

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ATAC
Australian Time Assignment Committee (ATAC) is the committee formed to allocate time on the AAT.

The current membership is:

• Dr Andrew Cole (Chair), Tasmania,
  July 2016 to June 2019
• Dr Richard McDermid, Macquarie,
  January 2016 to December 2018
• Dr Michele Trenti, UoM,
  January 2016 to December 2018
• Dr Sarah Sweet, Swinburne,
  July 2017 to June 2020
• Dr David Parkinson, International,
  January 2018 to December 2020
• Dr Rob Wittenmyer, USQ,
  ​January 2018 to December 2020

​​There are seven members on ATAC, with at least one international member. In addition, a substitute member will also be appointed, to take the place of an ATAC member who is unavailable for a meeting of the committee.

Appointment to ATAC will usually be for a 3-year term, although the appointments may be for staggered terms to ensure a steady turnover in membership.

Nominations to the committee will be periodically solicited by the AAL via an open call to the community.  AAL will review the nominations to ensure suitable representation on ATAC, encompassing a broad spread of specialisations and seniorities. AAL will make a recommendation to the AAT Council, who will appoint the members as well as the Chair and Deputy Chair.
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• ATAC Policies and Procedures​​ Document

AATUC
The AAT Users' Committee (AATUC, formerly the AAOUC) provides advice to the AAT Council and SSO Director on the operational and development issues relating to the AAT. 

​The current membership is:

• Emily Wisnioski (Chair), Australia, June 2019
• Anne Medling, International, June 2020
• Prajwal Kafle, Australia, June 2020

​The committee comprises six external users, normally four from Australia, and two international representatives. Members of the AAOUC will be appointed by the AAT Council.

​Terms of Reference

• To provide advice to the AAT Council and SSO Director on operational and development issues relating to the Anglo-Australian Telescope and all aspects of support provided by the ANU.
• To make recommendations to the AAT Council seeking to maximise the scientific productivity and to maintain the international competitiveness of the AAT, taking into account the likely resource availability.
• To consult widely with the community, liaising where necessary with the Australian Time Assignment Committee (ATAC), to establish priorities for both operational and instrumentation initiatives.
• To interface with instrument design review panels, commenting on any issues arising from these reviews that impact on the delivery of key user science requirements.
• To provide a bi-annual written report for submission to the AAT Council.