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Astronomy/Astrophysics
Observational Astrophysics:
Assoc. Professor Bill Zealey, Mr Glen Moore and Mr Peter Ihnat
The Department undertakes teaching and research in infrared studies of star formation, photometry and spectrometry of variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds and studies of planetary surfaces. A major part of our research involves the development and use of digitising systems in the analysis of UK Schmidt Telescope plates. We regularly observe on major Australian radio and optical telescopes accompanied by our postgraduate.
A computer-controlled 40cm telescope on the roof of the Science Building, which is equipped for photometry and electronic imaging, supports undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
We also work closely with the Illawarra Science Centre and make use of the Centre's planetarium in our teaching program.
Star Formation:
Stars are born in dense molecular clouds. The youngest stars blast out material in supersonic winds. We are studying the interaction between these winds and the surrounding molecular cloud at radio, millimetre and infrared wavelengths in an attempt to better understand the early stages of star formation.
Long Period Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: The Magellanic Clouds present a unique opportunity to study complete samples of stars which are believed to be the precursors to planetary nebulae and supernovae. Measurements of these Long Period Variables (LPVs) provide information on the evolutionary behaviour of stars in their late stages. The Department has completed a survey of LPVs in the Small Magellanic Cloud.
Planetary Physics:
The Department holds a complete set of CDROMs containing planetary images from the Magellan radar imaging survey of Venus, Mariner/Viking images of Mars and the Voyager images of the outer planets. These provide the basis for undergraduate studies of volcanic and impact structures.
Theoretical Astrophysics:
Dr Paul Nulsen
All visible matter, including galaxies, stars, gas and dust, started out as a uniform gas filling the Universe. Gravity has pulled matter together to form all that we see now. A continuing major study, concentrating on the role of gas in this process, promises to account for major features of galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies in the Universe, including the recently discovered MACHOs around our Galaxy. Related work deals with the state, interactions, origin and fate of the hot, X-ray emitting gas in elliptical galaxies, clusters and groups, and the distribution of mass in these objects. Other interests include the origin and interactions of the "jets" emitted by objects ranging from young stars to quasars.