Newsletter

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter on all things about our observatory on Wajarri Country.

It’s geared towards our neighbours in the Murchison and those with an interest in day-to-day activities at the observatory.

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Current issue

Man stands in front of an audience gesturing.

Jandangga 2023

In this wintery edition, read about some stellar research from our resident telescopes, events to celebrate dark and quiet skies, how supercomputers are helping unravel climate change, deployment of some SKA-Low antennas and more. We also welcome some new team members and wish others well on their new adventures.

Past issues

Autumn 2023

There has been a lot of rain over the past month. Hopefully the clouds will lift for the eagerly anticipated solar eclipse – details of which feature in this season’s newsletter. We also introduce some new faces, new science, new telescope configurations and a celebration of science education. It has been quite the start to the year!

Summer 2022

It’s getting hotter in the Murchison as we bring you the news from a very busy period, and share our holiday greetings. This issue has details from the celebrations of our new Indigenous Land Use Agreement and the SKA-Low construction commencement ceremony, as well as some Christmas cheer (tracking rudolf’s nose!)

Growing out of the red dirt, by the side of a road, is a plethora of unusual flowers.

Spring 2022

Recent rains have kept the wildflowers in bloom, a welcome sight despite the disruption the rains have brought. This edition of MRO News has more details on the Pia Wadjarri students’ visit to Perth with time spent at CSIRO, MWA and Pawsey; reaching the next milestone for ASKAP; and welcoming a host of new staff to the SKA-Low team in Geraldton.

Winter 2022

Wildflowers are blooming, just in time for our Winter MRO News. This issue we have plenty to share with updates on new science images from ASKAP (created using Pawsey’s latest supercomputer, Setonix), lightning (Birli in Wajarri) striking for the MWA and an SKAO Diamond meeting Pawsey’s diamond quantum computer.

A group of 9 people standing outside in front of building signage that includes the CSIRO and SKAO logos. One man is pointing out the SKAO logo.

Autumn 2022

Welcome to the first edition of MRO News for 2022, with a brand-new look, leading to our brand-new website. Along with a host of news from across the MRO we also say hello to two new sections in this issue, meet the AusSRC and welcome Pawsey as a regular contributor to MRO News. We hope you like the new style!

Rebecca Wheadon and George Simpson (SKA-Low Deputy Telescope Director) in front of SKA signage.

Summer 2021

In this issue we wish you a Merry Christmas and welcome Murchison local Andrew Whitmarsh to our team. Aidan shares a mysterious object spotted by ASKAP, and Mia tells us of the unconvential meeting locations MWA team member Andy has been dialling in from lately. Also see the first photo of the Murchison settlement’s newest Christmas tree delivered by the team.

three people smiling in front of tall cabinets full of neatly arranged computing equipment. The centre woman is taking the photo and has her arm out pointing towards the equipment.

Spring 2021

Spring has sprung at the MRO! Aidan tells us dancing ghosts have been revealed by ASKAP and Mia shares a selfie with the MWA’s newly installed brain (see above). Also in this issue we welcome project manager Jane and communicator Kirsten to our team. We finish off with some wildflowers we’ve seen around the MRO recently, do you have a favourite from the region?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Pawsey Executive Director Mark Stickells surrounded by Pawsey supercomputers

Winter 2021

The rains are here, and the Murchison is looking greener. In this issue we have a special guest update from Mark Stickells at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre (that’s him above with the Prime Minister) and Aidan tells us ASKAP’s RACs survey is complete, with some amazing views of the sky to see. Watch out for the double rainbow celebrating over ASKAP.

Astronomical sky, with radio telescope dishes standing on red earth

Autumn 2021

In this issue we farewell Kevin Ferguson to new adventures within CSIRO, and welcome Sim to the team. Inside are bumper infrastructure updates and Mia shares the discovery of pulsars by the SKA prototype stations. Aidan also shares a new tool where you can explore ASKAP’s view of the night sky.

Wide angle photo showing an engineering lab with cabling, computer racks and tools.

Spring 2020

The MRO News has a refreshed new look this edition. We welcome Chris to the MRO team, Australia ratifies the SKA Convention and Andy from the MWA team celebrates his birthday at the MRO.

A woman wearing glasses holding up a mug under a tree to the left and a man also holding up a mug inside to the right.

Autumn 2020

Four men and hard hats and wide brim felt hats walk away from the camera along a red dirt road amongst large white dish antennas.

Summer 2019

Close up image of Stuart Desert Pea flowers, bright red vertical petals with distinctive black dots in the middle.

Spring 2019

White struts and cabling of an antenna with a round white and gold checkerboard patterned circle in the middle.

Winter 2019

Four men and four women in business attire smile in front of a sign saying Australia and the Australian flag. The central woman wears and Indigenous artwork scarf.

Autumn 2019

A pink carpet of wildflowers close to the ground on red dirt surrounding by green bushes and trees.

Summer 2018

Night sky showing the milky way spanning vertically over red dirt and green trees and bushes with a large white dish antenna to the right of the image

Spring 2018