AAL is delighted to announce the establishment of the AAT Consortium. The Consortium, which includes thirteen Australian universities and managed by AAL, will fund and oversee operations of the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) from July 2018. 

Located at the Siding Spring Observatory, the AAT is Australia's largest optical telescope, and currently operated by the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO). It has been instrumental to Australian optical astronomy over the past 40 years, and a suite of world-class instruments will continue to see it undertaking competitive science in the coming years.
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The new arrangements for AAT operations are part of an Australian Government package announced in the May 2017 Federal Budget: Maintaining Australia's Optical Astronomy Capability. This package includes a 10-year strategic partnership with the European Southern Observatory (ESO), which gives Australian astronomers access to ESO facilities in Chile, including the four 8.2m-diameter telescopes of the Very Large Telescope.

The AAT Consortium will be governed by the AAT Council, with representation from all of the contributing university partners. AAL will act as Manager of the Consortium, with the telescope to be operated by the Australian National University. 

The AAT Consortium includes: The Australian National University (operator), The University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, The University of Melbourne, Swinburne University, Monash University, The University of Queensland, The University of Southern Queensland, Curtin University, The University of Tasmania and The University of Western Australia, with AAL as Consortium Manager.

See also: ANU media release (external link)

We are delighted to announce the recruitment of Dr Stuart Ryder to AAL. Stuart brings to the AAL team a decade of experience as Head of the AAO’s International Telescopes Support Office. He has also been a prolific user of major optical telescopes including Gemini, Keck, Subaru and ESO’s Very Large Telescope. Stuart will commence employment with AAL as a program manager in the Sydney office from the 2nd July 2018.

Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL) seeks applications for its Science Advisory and Project Oversight Committees.  These two new committees are expected to hold their first meetings in August 2018, and will replace AAL’s four existing advisory committees.
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If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to one of these committees via your expertise, ideas, and experience, please email applications@astronomyaustralia.org.au with a maximum three page application with:

•  a covering letter describing your expertise relevant to the committee terms of reference
• a brief CV
• any relevant conflicts of interest.

AAL is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all interested candidates with relevant expertise and skills.

​Please do not hesitate to contact AAL if you have any questions regarding these committees:

Mark McAuley, CEO, 03 9214 8036;
James Murray, Senior Program Manager, 03 9214 8426;
Mita Brierley, Senior Program Manager, 02 9850 6371

Applications close on Tuesday 19th June 5 PM AWST. Late applications will not be accepted.

More details may be downloaded below