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# Australian Astronomical Optics

Leaders in astronomical instrumentation and research

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://aao.org.au/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [News](https://aao.org.au/news/) - Subscribe to Newletter Get the latest posts delivered right to your email. 22 May AAO team passes Critical Design Review for Gemini North’s new Adaptive Optics Bench Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) team at Macquarie University has passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the… Read more 23 Mar AAO moves into new purpose-built home at
- [AAO team passes Critical Design Review for Gemini North’s new Adaptive Optics Bench](https://aao.org.au/2026/05/22/aao-team-passes-critical-design-review-for-gemini-norths-new-adaptive-optics-bench/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) team at Macquarie University has passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Gemini North telescope’s new Adaptive Optics Bench (AOB). A core instrument that will sharpen Gemini North’s view of space, the AOB works by correcting distortions caused by Earth’s atmosphere.Professor Jon Lawrence, Principal Investigator for the Adaptive Optics Bench
- [AAO moves into new purpose-built home at Macquarie University](https://aao.org.au/2026/03/23/aao-moves-into-new-purpose-built-home-at-macquarie-university/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) has entered a new chapter, relocating to a purpose-built facility in Macquarie University’s Engineering Innovation Building.The move marks a significant milestone for AAO, which now sits at the heart of the university campus alongside the School of Engineering, enabling closer collaboration and access to state-of-the-art facilities.Moving house is never easy. Packing
- [AAO leads key instrument design as BlueMUSE enters design phase](https://aao.org.au/2026/03/18/aao-leads-key-instrument-design-as-bluemuse-enters-design-phase/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) at Macquarie University is playing a leading role in the development of BlueMUSE, a next-generation spectroscopic instrument for the European Southern Observatory (ESO)’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), following the project’s approval to enter its Preliminary Design Phase in February 2026.AAO is a core partner in the international collaboration and is responsible
- [AAO technology powers breakthrough telescope in Chile](https://aao.org.au/2025/10/22/aao-technology-powers-breakthrough-telescope-in-chile/) - A robotic positioning system designed and built by AAO engineers is now capturing light from thousands of stars and galaxies simultaneously at one of the world’s premier observing sites.An astronomical instrument featuring Australian-built technology has achieved first light – the crucial moment when a telescope captures its first images – at the European Southern Observatory’s
- [AAO technology takes centre-stage at the world’s largest space showcase](https://aao.org.au/2025/10/14/aao-technology-takes-centre-stage-at-the-worlds-largest-space-showcase/) - Australian Astronomical Optics technology “was everywhere” – featuring across a broad range of exhibits as Sydney hosted the International Astronautical Congress from 29 September till 3 October 2025.Scientists and engineers from Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) represented Macquarie University’s growing influence in the global space sector during last week’s International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held at the
- [AAO technology is going to the Moon](https://aao.org.au/2023/06/30/aao-technology-is-going-to-the-moon/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (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 will be creating a series of four telescopes
- [AAO participated in the 16th Australian Space Forum 2023](https://aao.org.au/2023/12/11/aao-participated-in-the-16th-australian-space-forum-2023/) - The Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) 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 of space-based remote sensing.“We are now supporting several
- [AAO Secures $1.16 Million Funding from NSW Government's NCRIS Support Program](https://aao.org.au/2024/05/21/aao-secures-1-16-million-funding-from-nsw-governments-ncris-support-program/) - 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 Program, designed to enhance and
- [AAO Secures $1.16 Million Funding from NSW Government's NCRIS Support Program](https://aao.org.au/2024/07/25/aao-secures-1-16-million-funding-from-nsw-governments-ncris-support-program-2/) - 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 Program, designed to enhance and ensure
- [Space gets clearer: multi-million dollar telescope upgrade underway](https://aao.org.au/2025/01/06/space-gets-clearer-multi-million-dollar-telescope-upgrade-underway/) - A major international astronomy project led by Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University 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 fields” (AOB-WAN) project successfully completed its
- [AAO data experts powering the world’s largest sky survey](https://aao.org.au/2025/06/30/aao-data-experts-powering-the-worlds-largest-sky-survey/) - A team of data experts from Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie have joined a global effort to process a cosmic data deluge as a new Chilean observatory project comes online.The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will capture the entire available night sky every few nights in its Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).Macquarie University’s Australian
- [AAO's Head of Space Projects named Australia’s Space Scientist of the Year 2025](https://aao.org.au/2025/05/30/aaos-head-of-space-projects-named-australias-space-scientist-of-the-year-2025/) - Associate Professor Lee Spitler, Head of Space Projects at Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University, was last night named Space Scientist of the Year in the sixth annual Australian Space Awards 2025 at Illumina Sydney.The award recognised Associate Professor Spitler’s dedication to leveraging the astronomical instrumentation expertise of Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO), to support and grow
- [AAO Strategic Plan 2025-2034 launch puts plan into play](https://aao.org.au/2025/05/07/aao-strategic-plan-2025-2034-launch-puts-plan-into-play/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) marked a significant milestone on April 29 with the launch of its 2025-2034 Strategic Plan titled ‘Bridging Eras’ — a vision that reflects AAO’s proud legacy and bold future.AAO is ambitiously bridging eras to shape a future of global leadership in scientific instrumentation and research, driving impact and inspiring the next
- [AAO celebrates 50 years Bridging Eras: Reflecting on a Legacy, Envisioning a Bright Future](https://aao.org.au/2024/12/06/aao-celebrates-50-years-bridging-eras-reflecting-on-a-legacy-envisioning-a-bright-future/) - 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 reflect on AAO’s remarkable journey and
- [AAO delivers space-qualified camera to Gilmour](https://aao.org.au/2024/08/19/aao-delivers-space-qualified-camera-to-gilmour/) - 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 edge computer from Sydney-based tech
- [AAO RDS Hosts Successful IVOA Interoperability Meeting 2024 at Macquarie University](https://aao.org.au/2024/05/27/aao-rds-hosts-successful-ivoa-interoperability-meeting-2024-at-macquarie-university/) - 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 together over 80 international leaders
- [AAO Leads the Gemini North Adaptive Optics Bench Project](https://aao.org.au/2023/12/18/aao-leads-the-gemini-north-adaptive-optics-bench-project/) - 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 by Macquarie University’s Australian Astronomical Optics
- [GHOST spectrograph delivered to US observatory](https://aao.org.au/2023/02/03/ghost-spectrograph-delivered-to-us-observatory/) - GHOST Instrument Commissioned at Gemini South ObservatoryThe GHOST instrument been successfully commissioned on the Gemini South Telescope, one of the world’s most powerful optical telescopes. Gemini South in Chile is one half of the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF’s NOIRLab.The AAO is the prime contractor for GHOST (Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph) project, a $US9.5million
- [AAO to build thermal imager for Gilmour space](https://aao.org.au/2023/01/15/aao-to-build-thermal-imager-for-gilmour-space/) - AAO to build thermal imager for Gilmour SpaceAAO has announced a new partnership with Gilmour Space Technologies, to design and build a new sovereign space technology for launch in late 2023.AAO is world renowned for its ground-based precision instrumentation for telescopes and is now branching out to non-astronomy applications in space. Gilmour Space Technologies is one
- [AAO delivers Fibre Positioners to Germany](https://aao.org.au/2021/06/20/aao-delivers-fibre-positioners-to-germany/) - Designed and built by AAO, the AESOP (Australian-European Southern Observatory Positioner) arrived in Potsdam, Germany in late 2021. AESOP is an optical fibre positioner unit for the 4MOST instrument currently under construction for the 4-metre diameter VISTA telescope in Chile, which is operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The 4MOST instrument is currently in

## Pages

- [Home](https://aao.org.au/) - Leaders in Scientific Instrumentation and Research Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) is a recognised world leader in innovative scientific instrumentation, software and research. Capabilities Careers OUR MISSION Our specialty is providing complete solutions to difficult problems. This technical expertise is supported by professional project management and systems engineering, along with an international network of collaborating institutes.
- [Privacy Policy](https://aao.org.au/privacy-policy/) - Who we are Our website address is: https://aao.org.au. Cookies If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser. When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save
- [Get In Touch](https://aao.org.au/contact/) - Get In Touch HomePagesGet In Touch Contact Us Fill in this form if you have any questions or want to receive further information. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Comment or Message *Submit
- [Diversity](https://aao.org.au/diversity/) - Diversity AAO is committed to creating a working environment and culture that is inclusive and provides equal opportunities, irrespective of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, culture and origin. HomePagesDiversity AAO Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee DEIC The AAO Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) advises the AAO in all matters of diversity, equity and fair
- [About Us](https://aao.org.au/about-us/) - Decades of Excellence About AAO Australian Astronomical Optics is working at the forefront of astronomical optics -from photonics and positioning systems to astronomy data management and research. HomePagesAbout Us AAO is a special department within the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Macquarie University.Our focus is on designing, building and testing advanced instrumentation for astronomical
- [Our Team](https://aao.org.au/team/) - Our Team HomePagesOur Team The AAO comprises over 50 instrument scientists and skilled engineers across multiple disciplines. We have decades of experience in effectively delivering cutting-edge scientific technologies worldwide.
- [Capabilities](https://aao.org.au/capabilities/) - Capabilities AAO is actively involved in instrument design and building, software design and development, and data management and service development, with over 45 years of experience Optical/IR Instrument research data & software space systems research Image Credit: ESO Optical/IR Instrument Pushing the boundaries of technology. AAO has a long history of building astronomical optic instruments
- [Cookie Policy](https://aao.org.au/cookie-policy/) - This page provides comprehensive information about how we use cookies on our website to enhance your browsing experience, improve website performance, and deliver personalized content. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our site. They help us understand how visitors interact with our website, allowing us to offer
- [Strategic Plan](https://aao.org.au/strategic-plan/) - AAO is ambitiously bridging eras to shape a future of global leadership in scientific instrumentation and research, driving impact and inspiring the next generation through strategic collaboration and innovation.Read our AAO Strategic Plan 2025-2034: Bridging Eras (download).Read our Strategic Plan Overview (download).
- [AAO brochure_students version_2024](https://aao.org.au/aao-brochure_students-version_2024/) - AAO Brochure _A4_2pp_STUDENTS VERSION_20240723_FINAL
- [Careers](https://aao.org.au/careers/) - Careers Establish a rewarding career developing innovative technology, and tackling some of the biggest challenges in scientific research. HomePagesCareers Let’s Grow Together Looking for a Challenge? Establish a rewarding career developing innovative technology, and tackling some of the biggest challenges in scientific research. Join our award-winning team, and enjoy a creative, dynamic and inclusive culture
- [Sustainability](https://aao.org.au/sustainability/) - Sustainability We believe in making it easier for organisations to work and grow on an international scale. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. HomePagesSustainability Industries need to better understand how to respond to environmental. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi semper arcu augue, quis finibus neque ornare vel. Nullam erat
- [Newsletter](https://aao.org.au/newsletter/) - [newsletter]

## Service

- [Agtech/Agriculture](https://aao.org.au/service/agtech-agriculture/) - Our mechanical and mechatronic expertise, in particular our robotic and mini-robotic systems, together with our hyperspectral imaging capabilities, drawing on extensive optical, spectroscopic, and data analytics capabilities, are well-positioned for application to novel agricultural.
- [Optical Design Services](https://aao.org.au/service/optical-design-services/) - AAO-Macquarie can deliver optical design for spectrographs, telescope optics, camera and detector systems and more. Our outstanding optical design and engineering capability ensures that all optical design projects are delivered to the highest standards.
- [Space-based Astronomy](https://aao.org.au/service/space-based-astronomy/) - 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.
- [Ground-based Astronomy](https://aao.org.au/service/ground-based-astronomy/) - We lead the world in developing novel instrumentation for ground-based telescopes. In addition to spectrograph design and fabrication, we have expertise in: optomechanical engineering optical design and engineering electronics mechanical engineering and mechatronics. Supported by stellar, galactic and extragalactic astronomy research, we have delivered some of the highest productivity research instruments for ground-based telescopes world-wide.
- [Research Data and Software](https://aao.org.au/service/research-data-and-software/) - Design and develop astronomical data reduction algorithms and software bespoke software solutions for research teams.
- [Managing Technology Projects](https://aao.org.au/service/managing-technology-projects/) - Our exceptional project management and systems engineering capabilities have been successfully demonstrated across small technology projects ($100k+), through to major international collaborative instrument design, construction, delivery and commissioning (up to $100M). Recent large projects include the GHOST spectrograph for the Gemini-South telescope, and the AESOP 2400+ fibre positioning system for the new 4MOST facility on the European Southern Observatory’s VISTA telescope.
- [Research](https://aao.org.au/service/research/) - 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.

## Projects

- [MANIFEST](https://aao.org.au/projects/manifest-fibre-positioning-system-for-the-gmt/) - Multi-object fibre positioning system proposed for the US Giant Magellan Telescope.
- [LUNA](https://aao.org.au/projects/luna/) - Multi-beam optical laser collimator for moon lander
- [Data Central - Astronomical Data Portal](https://aao.org.au/projects/data-central-astronomical-data-portal/) - Powering research through data
- [ADACS Macquarie Node](https://aao.org.au/projects/adacs-macquarie-node/) - Bridging astronomy and technology for future data challenges
- [GNAOB](https://aao.org.au/projects/gnaob/) - Next-generation Adaptive Optics Bench for Gemini North Telescope
- [Malya Thermal Camera](https://aao.org.au/projects/malya-thermal-camera/) - Development of a thermal imaging capability for Gilmour Space mission.
- [AESOP](https://aao.org.au/projects/aesop/) - Fibre positioner unit for multi-object spectrograph for European Southern Observatory
- [GHOST](https://aao.org.au/projects/ghost/) - Fibre fed high-resolution spectrograph for international astronomical observatory
- [HERMES](https://aao.org.au/projects/hermes/) - Multi-object high-resolution spectrograph for Australia’s astronomical observatory
- [ESO Pipeline](https://aao.org.au/projects/eso-pipeline-data-reduction-software-for-vlt-instruments/) - Data reduction software for telescopes of the European Southern Observatory in the Andes, Chile.
- [MAVIS](https://aao.org.au/projects/mavis-mcao-system-and-instrument-for-the-vlt/) - The world's first multi-conjugate adaptive optics visible imager and spectrograph
- [Skyhopper](https://aao.org.au/projects/skyhopper/) - Australian space telescope proposal optimised for ultra faint imaging.
- [Hector](https://aao.org.au/projects/hector-multi-ifu-spectrograph-for-the-aat/) - Multi-object integral field spectrograph for Australia’s largest optical telescope
- [Adaptive Optics](https://aao.org.au/projects/adaptive-optics/) - Optical technology improving astronomical observations by correcting atmospheric turbulence effects.
- [Photonic OH Suppression](https://aao.org.au/projects/photonic-oh-suppression/) - Photonic technology cancelling atmospheric emission for deeper astronomical observations.
- [Satellite Payload Optical Systems](https://aao.org.au/projects/satellite-payload-optical-systems/) - Our half-century of opto-mechanical expertise now extends to space exploration.

## Footers

- [Footer Main](https://aao.org.au/footer/footer-main/) - Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) is a recognised world leader in innovative astronomical instrumentation, software and research. Twitter Linkedin Instagram Contact contact@aao.org.au 9 Wally's Walk, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 www.aao.org.au Quick Links News Our Team Careers Get In Touch Diversity © Macquarie University Australian Astronomical Optics Sitemap Disclaimer Privacy Policy

## Categories

- [Research](https://aao.org.au/category/research/)
- [Space Systems](https://aao.org.au/category/space-systems/)
- [Optical/IR Instrument](https://aao.org.au/category/optical-ir-instrument/)

## Categories

- [Astronomy](https://aao.org.au/lq-project-category/astronomy/)
- [Optical/IR Instrument](https://aao.org.au/lq-project-category/optical-ir-instrument/)
- [Space Systems](https://aao.org.au/lq-project-category/space-systems/)
- [Research](https://aao.org.au/lq-project-category/research/)
- [RDS](https://aao.org.au/lq-project-category/rds/)