$33 million supercomputer to support SKA science

A new $33 million supercomputer to be installed at the purpose-built Pawsey Centre in Perth will soon help scientists around Australia and the world to uncover the secrets of the universe.

Minister for Science and Research Senator Chris Evans announced on 20 July that Cray will lead a group of five supercomputing suppliers to build the supercomputer. He said that once operational in March 2013, the supercomputer would process data generated by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope.

“This supercomputer is a critical tool for the Australian scientific community that will increase our research capacity in a range of fields, including radio astronomy, the geosciences and in nanotechnology and biosciences,” Senator Evans said.

“It will process the masses of data produced by the ASKAP and Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) radio telescopes.

“Both radio telescopes played a key part in Australia and New Zealand’s recent successful bid to co-host the international Square Kilometre Array project - the biggest and most advanced radio telescope ever constructed.

“This is a great opportunity for Western Australia. What is happening with the SKA and the supercomputer is the modern-day equivalent of landing on the moon, and it’s happening right here in our own backyard.”

Senator Evans said the Gillard government had increased funding to science, research and innovation by 35% since 2007 to almost $9 billion.

“We’re committed to ensuring Australia plays a lead role in the international science community, including in radio astronomy research, through investments like the Pawsey Centre supercomputer,” Senator Evans said.

The project is a joint effort by iVEC and the CSIRO. iVEC is an unincorporated joint venture between Western Australia’s four public universities and the CSIRO, with the CSIRO acting as centre agent in procuring the supercomputer.