Astronomy from Space
The Distant Universe from Space Telescopes

Extragalactic astrophysics is a stand-out strength of the University of Western Australia (UWA), led by Australian Laureate Professor Simon Driver through the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. While this research field is primarily about studying the Universe from the ground, it also use space-based facilities to bypass fundamental limitations set by the Earth’s size and atmosphere.

 

This group is heavily involved in many of the space telescopes operated by NASA and ESA, such as the James Webb Space Telescope. Their role in these projects involves providing ground-based measurements of spectra as well as the rapid analysis of space imaging data, which they then combine to produce both impactful research and advanced databases for use by astronomers around the world.

As much of the space-telescope data is downlinked through Australian-based facilities, they are expanding their capabilities to provide robust and rapid data analysis on behalf of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope and ESA’s Euclid Telescope. They are also developing the capacity to process data from upcoming Australian Space Telescopes such as the Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal satellite joint funded by the Australian Space Agency, Australian space industry companies, and the Italian Space Agency.