Research projects
Discover the forefront of astronomy and astrophysics through our projects, ranging from deep-space communication systems to groundbreaking adaptive optics. Explore our diverse, ongoing research initiatives shaping the future of space science.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 60 project(s).
This project aims to develop a Python package to post-process 3-D hydrodynamics simulations (e.g., from RAMSES or Quokka) to create synthetic observations for JWST/HST/VLT.
In this project the student will investigate the feasibility of a 3D printed deformable mirror with an embedded water-cooling system, and its expected performance under extreme heat conditions based on the selected material and actuator configuration.
Theme
- Instrumentation
A resolved star formation study of galaxies using TYPHOON
Theme
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
The student will upgrade an existing seismic classifier using modern machine learning techniques and expanded training sets.
Student intake
Open for Honours, Master, PhD students
Observatory
People
- Dr Claudia Reyes, Supervisor
- Professor Melissa Ness, Supervisor
You will use 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations to model asymmetric accretion on protostars and their discs.
Theme
- Stellar and planetary astronomy
Student intake
Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students
Observatory
People
- Dr Rajika Kuruwita, Supervisor
- Professor Christoph Federrath, Collaborator
This project is to apply and develop software to integral field spectroscopic data of galaxies.
Theme
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Bachelor students
Observatory
People
- Associate Professor Emily Wisnioski, Supervisor
- Isaac Kanowski, Collaborator
In this project you will use existing and new data to understand the nature of filamentary structure in galaxies and how they relate to magnetic fields.
Theme
- Galactic archaeology
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students
People
- Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths, Supervisor
This project aims to determine what source is dominating in massive galaxies 4 Gyrs ago using MAGPI (MUSE), EMU (ASKAP) surveys and eROSITA public data.
Theme
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Honours students
Observatory
People
- Associate Professor Emily Wisnioski, Supervisor
- Dr Andrew Battisti, Supervisor
The student will process a database of sink-particle produced from 4pc^3 star cluster forming simulations to study how young binary and multiple stars evolve.
Theme
- Stellar and planetary astronomy
Student intake
Open for Summer Scholar, Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students
Observatory
People
- Dr Rajika Kuruwita, Supervisor
This project aims to measure both distances and velocities for 100,000 galaxies and so map the visible and dark matter within a billion light-years.
Theme
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
In the spectra of distant stars, we can often find a series of absorption features, such as Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) or those of neutral atomic potassium, K I. Although the exact carriers of DIBs are still a matter of debate, various candidates have been proposed over the years.
Theme
- Galactic archaeology
Study of the statistics of turbulent, magnetised gases, relevant for the structure and evolution of the interstellar medium, the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies, using a combination of supercomputer simulations, theory, analytical calculations, and comparison to observations.
Theme
- Stellar and planetary astronomy
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students
Observatory
People
- Professor Christoph Federrath, Supervisor
The goal of this project is to make predictions for the observable gamma-ray signatures of different plasma physics models for cosmic ray transport.
Theme
- Stellar and planetary astronomy
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
In each project, students will utilise data from some of the world’s most powerful radio telescopes, including ASKAP, Parkes, and the Jansky VLA to study the magnetised gas in and around the radio lobes inflated by supermassive black holes.
Theme
- Black hole phenomena
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students
Observatory
People
- Dr Craig Anderson, Supervisor
This project aims to study quenching in a unique rejuvenated/quenching galaxy found in deep Hubble/James Webb Space Telescope imaging data.
Theme
- Structure and evolution of the Cosmos
Student intake
Open for Honours students
Observatory
People
- Associate Professor Emily Wisnioski, Supervisor
- Dr Trevor Mendel, Collaborator