ICRAR (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research)

Geraldton just hosted the 11th ACAMAR Conference, bringing global astronomy experts to regional WA. The event strengthened international partnerships and showcased how world‑leading research — including the SKA-Low telescope now being built in the Midwest — is advancing capability and innovation across key areas of astronomy. A big moment for Regional WA and Australia’s role in global discovery. CSIRO SKAO in Australia Chinese Academy of Sciences Purple Mountain Observatory， CAS, ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) City of Greater Geraldton Mid West Development Commission Western Australian Museum University of Sydney

Earlier this week, ICRAR joined the conversation at the Black Swan Summit. Our COO and Head of Research Translation, Jo Hawkins, PhD, moderated a panel on where real value is emerging in the next economy, focusing on what it actually takes to translate technologies into real-world impact. At ICRAR, this is what we do. From major infrastructure like the SKA telescopes to applied research and industry collaboration, we work at the intersection of science and deployment, taking ideas from concept through to working systems. It was a valuable opportunity to bring that perspective into discussions spanning AI, quantum, tokenisation and infrastructure and to engage directly with industry on what comes next. #BSS2026

A fantastic opportunity from our colleagues at Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) for industry to leverage one of the strengths of astronomy - the investment and infrastructure it builds in high performance computing.

A new report published by Astronomy Australia highlights the strong economic value that astronomy delivers to Australia - well beyond scientific discovery. Research by economist Professor Richard Holden at the University of New South Wales estimates that investment in astronomy generates an economic impact of $330 million per year. What makes this especially remarkable is that this return is generated by just 184 tenured researchers (and 627 total scholars) working in the field across Australia.   Through leading research, technology development and international partnerships, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is proud to contribute to this impact — helping translate astronomy research into real-world benefits for industry, the economy and the broader community.

Are you a secondary teacher looking for new ways to teach astronomy in the classroom? Enrolments are now open for ICRAR's Features of the Universe micro-credential! In this short online course you'll learn all about astronomy and how to design engaging, curriculum-linked lessons. You will also get trained to use our SPIRIT robotic telescopes, and get lifelong access for you and your classroom! Enrolments close 16 March, with discounted registration available for UWA+ Starter partner schools and schools with an ICSEA below 1100. Head to https://lnkd.in/gzuBz3vX for more info on how to enrol.

Can you spot the difference between these galaxy collections? Forrest Research Foundation Fellow Connor Bottrell from ICRAR/The University of Western Australia can. The images on the left are real telescope observations, while those on the right are from a cosmic simulation called IllustrisTNG. To an untrained eye, they may seem similar, but the galaxies in the simulation behave quite differently. The black holes at their cores, the gas swirling around them, and the ways they form stars are all different from what we observe through telescopes. This difference tells us there are still missing ingredients in our models of the cosmos—unknown forces or processes shaping how galaxies evolve. Simulations and modelling are powerful ways to make and test predictions. Whether developing methods to analyse gas and star flows in distant galaxies or applying those skills to Earth-based issues like tide and weather forecasting, ICRAR is proud to lead in discovery and understanding the gap between simulated and real phenomena. Read Connor's paper in Nature Astronomy: https://lnkd.in/gJVrnwwK

We recently caught up with ICRAR alum and Hubble Fellowship recipient Madeleine McKenzie from the Observatories of The Carnegie Institution for Science during her visit to Perth. Madi completed her high school work experience, Summer Studentship, and Master's degree with ICRAR before going on to win one of the most prestigious positions in astronomy - the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program. This International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we're celebrating Madi's remarkable achievements - but also reflecting on the ongoing efforts required at every stage of a career, by individuals and institutions, to make sure that science is for everyone. Women in STEM initiatives, from the simple step of anonymising applications on a studentship through to providing scholarships and fellowships for women as students and leaders, take years to show results. It's only through perseverance and commitment that we start to see stories like Madi's come together. #IDWGIS #February11 #WomenInSTEM #WomenAndGirlsInAstronomy

Space is becoming increasingly congested, with thousands of satellites launched each year. Thousands of pieces of debris orbit Earth faster than bullets, threatening GPS, weather forecasting, and global communications. Even tiny fragments can damage spacecraft, highlighting the growing risks of operating in orbit. Researchers at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) are developing advanced software and artificial intelligence tools to improve the detection, tracking, and management of space debris. These technologies apply methods originally developed for astronomical discovery to support Space Domain Awareness and inform real-time space traffic management decisions. This project is part of the Multi-Modal Space Object Rapid Cataloguing System, supported through an Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) grant led by the University of Tasmania. The project combines ICRAR’s analytics capability with specialised hardware being developed by UTAS to detect objects faster, improve tracking accuracy, and predict potential collisions. By translating astronomy-driven innovation into deployable technology, the project demonstrates how Australian research capability can support emerging sectors such as space safety and orbital services while strengthening national sovereign space capability.

It was fantastic to have ICRAR researchers be part of this year's Space Boot Camp! Thanks for having Sabine Bellstedt, Simon Driver, Sascha Schediwy & their teams on board.