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AAO’s innovative satellite imaging technology wins 2026 Australian Good Design Award – Best in Class

By dliu
15 October 2026
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Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) at Macquarie University has received a 2026 Australian Good Design Award – Best in Class in the Concept Design category for the innovative optical system, OWL (Omnidirectional Wide-angle Locator). Tracking fast-moving objects in space presents a significant challenge for satellites. Conventional approaches often require the spacecraft…

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 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…

AAO moves into new purpose-built home at Macquarie University

By dliu
23 March 2026
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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…

AAO leads key instrument design as BlueMUSE enters design phase

By dliu
18 March 2026
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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…

AAO technology powers breakthrough telescope in Chile

By dliu
22 October 2025
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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…

AAO technology takes centre-stage at the world’s largest space showcase

By dliu
14 October 2025
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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…

AAO data experts powering the world’s largest sky survey

By dliu
30 June 2025
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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…

AAO’s Head of Space Projects named Australia’s Space Scientist of the Year 2025

By dliu
30 May 2025
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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…

AAO Strategic Plan 2025-2034 launch puts plan into play

By dliu
7 May 2025
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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,…

Space gets clearer: multi-million dollar telescope upgrade underway

By dliu
6 January 2025
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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”…

AAO’s innovative satellite imaging technology wins 2026 Australian Good Design Award – Best in Class

AAO team passes Critical Design Review for Gemini North’s new Adaptive Optics Bench

AAO moves into new purpose-built home at Macquarie University

AAO leads key instrument design as BlueMUSE enters design phase

AAO technology powers breakthrough telescope in Chile

AAO technology takes centre-stage at the world’s largest space showcase

AAO data experts powering the world’s largest sky survey

AAO’s Head of Space Projects named Australia’s Space Scientist of the Year 2025

AAO Strategic Plan 2025-2034 launch puts plan into play

Space gets clearer: multi-million dollar telescope upgrade underway

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