dliu - Australian Astronomical Optics

Space gets clearer: multi-million dollar telescope upgrade underway

By dliu
6 January 2025
Research
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A major international astronomy project led by Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University (AAO-MQ) has now passed a crucial milestone in its mission to enhance the capabilities of one of the world’s most powerful telescopes, the 8-metre Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. The “Adaptive Optics Bench for Wide and Narrow…

AAO celebrates 50 years Bridging Eras: Reflecting on a Legacy, Envisioning a Bright Future

By dliu
6 December 2024
Research
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The Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) celebrated 50 years of groundbreaking contributions to the world of astronomy on Monday (2 December) at Macquarie University. The milestone event, themed “Bridging Eras – Celebrating 50 Years of Legacy and Innovation; Envisioning the Next 50”, brought together staff, partners and the University Executive to…

AAO delivers space-qualified camera to Gilmour

By dliu
19 August 2024
Research, Space Systems
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Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) at Macquarie University has delivered its Malya thermal camera system to Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies. The camera is scheduled for launch into orbit next year as part of an upcoming Gilmour Space satellite mission. The space-qualified Malya payload consists of two thermal infrared cameras and an…

AAO RDS Hosts Successful IVOA Interoperability Meeting 2024 at Macquarie University

By dliu
27 May 2024
Research
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The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) Interoperability meeting 2024 was successfully held at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus from 19 May to 24 May 2024. Hosted by the Research Data and Software (RDS) section of the Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) department in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, this event brought…

AAO-Macquarie Secures $1.16 Million Funding from NSW Government’s NCRIS Support Program

By dliu
21 May 2024
Research
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The Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) at Macquarie University has been awarded $1.169 million in funding from the highly competitive NSW Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Support Program. This substantial investment will bolster AAO’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and industry engagement in key technology sectors. The NCRIS Support…

AAO Leads the Gemini North Adaptive Optics Bench Project

By dliu
18 December 2023
Research
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The Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) led an international consortium which won a A$15 million international contract to lead the design and construction of adaptive optics for the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, one of the world’s largest and most advanced optical telescopes. The Adaptive Optics Bench (AOB) project is led…

AAO participated in the 16th Australian Space Forum 2023

By dliu
11 December 2023
Research
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The Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) – Macquarie proudly participated in the 16th Australian Space Forum hosted by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation on 6th December 2023. Building on a legacy of nearly 50 years in designing and building precision telescope technology, AAO is now extending its expertise into the realm…

AAO technology is going to the Moon

By dliu
30 June 2023
Research
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Australian Astronomical Optics – Macquarie (AAO) at Macquarie University will build a new optical multi-beam laser collimator that will land on the moon as a part of an Advanced Navigation project that has been awarded a $5.2M Moon to Mars Initiative: Demonstrator Mission Grant by the Australian Space Agency. “We…