Student profiles
Studying science at ANU is a lifetime experience. Find out why directly from our students.
I see myself in a research position continuing to work on problems in Astronomy that I find exciting and challenging. I also see myself teaching and promoting science education.
RSAA attracts leading astronomers in many fields from all over the world, so there are so many people with great expertise to learn from, including visiting astronomers. There is a great sense of community, especially if you're a student.
The education and research environment offered makes it easy to become a good scientist who can conduct independent research, communicate the science and share the passion with the world.
We are running simulations to try to better understand the connection between Gamma-ray Bursts and Supernovae. I am also interested in gravitational lensing, black holes and gravitational waves.
I am aiming for an academic career in Astrophysics. At the moment, my thoughts are directed towards Chile and their large telescopes, where I'd be keen to stay for a while as a postdoc.
I have had the opportunity to observe with the largest optical telescope (AAT) and at other facilities in Australia. I've learnt about working with stellar spectra, have gained programming skills, and have been collaborating with overseas-based experts in the field thoughout my project.
Astronomical sleuthing is all in a day's work for Christine Nicholls, who is attempting to solve the mystery of Long Secondary Periods in red giant stars.
Achieving the best possible resolution and contrast in astronomical imaging allows the probing of fine-scale structure in unprecedented detail, providing an insight into some of the smallest events occurring in the universe from which the most violent, energetic and easily observable events are intimately related.
Mt Stromlo is a very exciting place to be a PhD student. The academic staff are leading the world in many areas of research, while telescopes, instruments and astronomy software are all being developed on-site.