The Joint Australian Centre for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica |
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The Joint Australian Centre for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica, JACARA, has been constituted to
facilitate Australian participation in the development of Antarctic astronomy. It has joint nodes at the
School of Physics in the University of New South Wales, and at Mount Stromlo and Siding Springs
Observatories in the Australian National University.
JACARA receives advice from the Australian Working Group for Antarctic Astronomy. This group was
created by the National Committee for Astronomy in order to study the scientific potential of the Antarctic
Plateau for astronomy. JACARA works closely with CARA, the Center for Astrophysical Research in
Antarctica. CARA is a consortium of US universities run from Yerkes Observatory of the University of
Chicago.
JACARA are promoting activities, both nationally and internationally, that will facilitate our ability to
operate an Antarctic Observatory and maximise the science that can be produced. Currently the major
focus is on site testing to quantify the limitations to astronomical observations across the spectrum and
determine the optimum site for an international observatory. Of special interest is the development of an
Automated Astrophysical Site Testing Observatory (AASTO) for the high plateau. We are also
collaborating in the Abu/Alladin project, using a 1024x1024 InSb array on the SPIREX telescope to survey
massive star forming regions in our Galaxy and the LMC.
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