Aussie astronomers win telescope time to go 'fossil' hunting

An international team of astronomy researchers led by Swinburne University of Technology's Professor Duncan Forbes and Dr Mike Beasley, have been awarded seven nights of observation time on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii - worth around $1 million.

This award is the largest ever given to an Australian research team. Using the telescope, the team will seek to identify the age of ancient star clusters in nearby galaxies. "These clusters are thought to be the oldest star systems in the Universe, some 12 billion years old. As such they are the astronomical equivalent of fossils," said Prof. Forbes.

"Age-dating these star clusters will provide unique insights into the process of how star clusters and galaxies formed over ten billion years ago," Dr Beasley noted.

Earlier results collected by Dr Beasley from the Gemini telescope showed that some of the fossil star clusters of galaxy M60 have only a small percentage of the chemical elements found in the sun, confirming the cluster's old age.

Along with Sydney-based astronomer from the Anglo-Australian Observatory, Dr Terry Bridges, the team includes researchers from the UK, USA, Canada and Argentina, says Prof. Forbes.

"The Gemini telescopes are an excellent example of scientific research without borders. We collaborated with our overseas colleagues to submit a joint proposal rather than competing and this strategy has paid off handsomely.

"Astronomy is one area of science where Australia competes strongly on the world stage, and Swinburne hosts one of Australia's top astronomy groups," Prof. Forbes said.

The observations are expected to be undertaken in April.

Item provided courtesy of Swinburne University of Technology