The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, today celebrated significant milestones in radio astronomy in Tasmania. Mr McKim said 2011 was the 25th anniversary of construction of the Mt Pleasant Radio Observatory at the University of Tasmania by Professor Peter McCulloch.
“This year is also the 100th anniversary of the birth of Grote Reber, the father of radio astronomy and the completion of the $7.7 million federally-funded AuScope Project, which has seen operation of three new radio telescopes in Australia including Hobart,” Mr McKim said.
“Grote Reber inspired Professor Bill Ellis and others to extend their cosmic ray research into astrophysics, which began a 50 year tradition of discovery in radio and optical astronomy at the University of Tasmania.
“Optical and radio astronomers from around the world come to Tasmania to use the University of Tasmania’s telescope. “Hobart’s unique position at 43 degrees south latitude, 147 degrees east longitude, is an excellent complement to telescopes in operation in South America, Hawaii, and East Asia. “Astronomers at UTAS have research collaborations with scientists at more than 30 institutes in 11 nations.”
Mr McKim said the Mount Pleasant Observatory makes Tasmania one of the fundamental points that form the basis of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame.
“This is a great achievement that is a direct result of the talented, highly-educated and highly-skilled researchers working within the School of Mathematics and Physics,” Mr McKim said. It is achievements such as these that reinforce the reasons why the Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of the state’s science and research sector. “The sector generates significant benefits to Tasmania, attracts offshore investment and provides high quality employment opportunities.”