An internationally-recognised scientist who has designed instruments for observatories around the world has been appointed the new Director of the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre at Mount Stromlo.

Professor Anna Moore has previously built major instruments for the Australian Astronomical Observatory, the Japanese National Large Telescope (known as Subaru), Mount Palomar's Observatory in California, and Hawaii's W.M. Keck Observatory (currently the world's largest telescopes).

She has worked extensively in the field of infrared spectrographs, which are part of the next generation of tools scientists are using to map the sky and to help search for astronomical events including hidden novae, supernovae, and now gravitational wave events.

"Professor Moore's current research is opening up a new observational window into the infrared transient universe. We are delighted that she is joining us here at ANU," said Director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Professor Matthew Colless.

Co-editor of the soon-to-be published Handbook of Astronomical Instrumentation by World Scientific Press, Professor Moore has served on a number of panels and committees for NASA, the US National Science Foundation, and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

She currently chairs the Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica Scientific Research Program.

Professor Moore joins ANU from her present role as a research scientist at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).