Professor Lister Staveley-Smith has been appointed Chair of the Australia Telescope Steering Committee for the next three years.
Professor Staveley-Smith is a frequent user of CSIRO’s ASKAP radio telescope (background).
An Australian astronomer at The University of Western Australia (UWA) node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), Professor Staveley-Smith uses CSIRO’s ASKAP radio telescope to explore the composition and dynamics of galaxies and is part of the commissioning team for the new CryoPAF receiver on Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope, as well as having been lead investigator for its ARC-funded front-end component.
Professor Staveley-Smith said he was pleased to take on the new role, which comes at an important time for CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) – a world leading radio astronomy facility that includes several telescopes, including the iconic Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope.
“With new astronomical discoveries over the past few years, new technologies on Murriyang and ATCA, as well as ASKAP and the incoming SKA telescopes, the global landscape of international radio astronomy is shifting. The role of the ATNF is evolving as we better understand the capabilities of these instruments, the research opportunities from new discoveries, and the upcoming publication of the Australian astronomy’s Decadal Plan. It is a vibrant time,” said Professor Staveley-Smith.
The ATSC is an advisory body appointed by the CSIRO Board to provide advice to the ATNF Director on CSIRO’s ongoing delivery of radio astronomy capabilities for the nation. The Steering Committee appoints the ATNF Users Committee, which represents the interests of astronomers using CSIRO telescopes, and the Time Assignment Committee, which reviews observing proposals.
Professor Staveley-Smith succeeds Professor Tara Murphy, who served as Steering Committee Chair for the past three years.
