Capabilities

AAO-Macquarie is actively involved in instrument design and building, software design and development, and data management and service development, with over 45 years of experience.

Image Credit: ESO

Optical/IR Instrument

Pushing the boundaries of technology.

AAO-Macquarie has a long history of building astronomical optic instruments and software both in Australia and around the world. We engage with major observatories (including ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and GMTO's Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)) to deliver innovative new instruments based on the new technologies that we are developing.

With the next generation of large telescopes on the horizon, we are engaging with new partners to bring our expertise to new challenges.

Hector

Multi-object integral field spectrograph for Australia’s largest optical telescope

MANIFEST

Multi-object fibre positioning system proposed for the US Giant Magellan.

MAVIS

The world's first multi-conjugate adaptive optics visible imager and spectrograph

HERMES

Multi-object high-resolution spectrograph for Australia’s astronomical observatory

GHOST

Fibre fed high-resolution spectrograph for international astronomical observatory
The AESOP fibre positioner comprising 2,448 spines for the ESO VISTA telescope.

AESOP

Fibre positioner unit for multi-object spectrograph for European Southern Observatory
Research data & software

Efficient, Scalable, Discoverable.

The RDS group specialise in creating feature-rich applications to access a diverse set of research data across multiple disciplines. We support research teams by providing a full life cycle data management service in order to develop a sustainable research team environment from start to finish.

ADACS Macquarie Node

Coming Soon

FAIMS 3.0

Field Acquired Information Management Systems

ESO Pipeline

Data reduction software for telescopes of the European Southern Observatory.
Space Systems

Explore beyond limits.

With expertise in telescope design, optomechanical engineering, optical design and engineering, electronics, mechanical engineering and mechatronics, AAO-Macquarie is ideally positioned to contribute to the design and fabrication of instruments for satellite telescopes, cubesats, and earth-observation satellites.

LUNA

About the Project As part of the Australian Space Agency’s…

Skyhopper

Australian space telescope proposal optimised for ultra faint imaging.

Satellite Payload Optical Systems

Our half-century of opto-mechanical expertise now extends to space exploration.

Malya Thermal Camera

Development of a thermal imaging capability for Gilmour Space mission.
Research

Cutting-edge discoveries.

We undertake research across a broad range of areas. In addition to astrophysics research utilising our world-leading instrumentation suite, we are leaders in research areas spanning: photonics robotics optical fibres optical devices data analytics, and more. We collaborate widely, with academic and industry partners worldwide, and are always looking to expand our research partner network.

Photonic OH Suppression

Photonic technology cancelling atmospheric emission for deeper astronomical observations.
An image taken of the Gemini North Observatory on Mauna Kea while propagating the Adaptive Optics Laser Guide Star into the heart of the Big Dipper. (Credit:Stéphane Courteau/Queen's University)

Adaptive Optics

Optical technology improving astronomical observations by correcting atmospheric turbulence effects.