AAO Observer - February 2011 Edition

TL;DR

This issue covers recent astronomical surveys, instrument updates, innovative calibration techniques, and collaborative projects, highlighting advancements in galaxy surveys, spectrograph calibration, and planet discovery involving both professionals and amateurs.

Contribution

It reports on multiple recent projects and technological developments in astronomy, including the WiggleZ survey, HERMES instrument, and novel collaborations for planet detection.

Findings

Detection of baryonic acoustic oscillations across various redshifts

Progress in the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey

Development of ultra-precise spectrograph calibration methods

Abstract

This edition of the Australian Astronomical Observatory Observer contains articles on the detection of the baryonic acoustic oscillation signal over a wide range of redshifts by the WiggleZ dark energy survey; results and future plans for the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey; an update on the HERMES instrument; a report on the use of the AAT as a testbed for experiments using a laser frequency comb to achieve ultra-precise calibration of spectrographs; an innovative project combining professional astronomers and highly professional 'amateurs' to discover and characterise planets orbiting binary stars and finding out what it's like to be present when the comet you discovered encounters a spacecraft! The AAO's Distinguished Visitors for 2011 are introduced and an announcement is made for the upcoming Southern Cross Conference on 'Supernovae and their Host Galaxies' to be held in Sydney in June 2011.