Astronomy in the outback

摘要

Very little happens in the outback of Western Australia - and that's how a growing group of astronomers likes it. The area is remote from urban centres and industry, so it is extremely radio-quiet: free of the 'noise' generated by cars, mobile phones and other trappings of civilization. That makes it an ideal spot in which to study radio waves from distant corners of the Universe, and is key to the nation's bid to host a prestigious international telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Five years ago, there was not a single astronomy researcher based in the state. Now, with the SKA on the horizon, two advanced pilot radio telescopes planned, high-level government funding available and a fledgling astronomy community looking to add to its ranks, Western Australia has the potential to be a research hub for years to come. But to succeed, it will have to sustain funding and attract enough researchers to this remote corner of the world.