ATUC Meeting, 14 May 2009, Astro Issues Robert Braun

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights GASS: DRI δ ≤ +1, -400 < V LSR < +500 km/s 16 arcmin, 1 km/s, ΔT B ~ 57 mK ΔN HI ΔV = 30 km/s) ~ 5 x cm -2

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights GASS early science Large population of small clouds: 30 pc, 600 M Sun Cloud-to-cloud dispersion of 18 km/s, scale-height 400 pc Association with star-formation driven processes in spiral arms (SN, winds)

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights Parkes Methanol Multi-Beam Survey Final observing just completed, first papers published

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights Parkes MMB Survey -2 < b < +2, -180 < l +60, Methanol 6668 & OH 6035 MHz Deep Pulsar Piggyback region ATCA or Merlin follow-up of new detections

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights Parkes MMB Survey, early science Detection of Methanol masers in both the near- and far 3 kpc spiral arms

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII 2x10 9 M Sun with ΔV ~ 850 km/s, implies M Dyn ~ 3x10 12 sin -2 i

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII 2x10 9 M Sun with ΔV ~ 850 km/s, implies M Dyn ~ 3x10 12 sin -2 i HI bridge of 400 kpc to gas-rich companion Smoking gun of past/ongoing merger/interaction

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights The most accurate pulsar distance determination to date LBA trigonometric parallax of this P-WD binary achieves 1% precision

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights The most accurate pulsar distance determination to date LBA trigonometric parallax of this P-WD binary achieves 1% precision Parallax distance, together with binary period derivative yield competitive (with prospects for improvement) constraint on time variability of G Ġ/G = -5 +/- 26 x yr -1 Constraint on stochastic GWB amplitude (~1 x ) from timing vs. parallax distances comparable to best current limits

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights The highest velocity “water fountain” yet seen Total velocity spread of ~ 400 km/s seen from the 32 H 2 O maser spots seen in Mopra and ATCA data

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Recent Science Highlights The highest velocity “water fountain” yet seen Total velocity spread of ~ 400 km/s seen from the 32 H 2 O maser spots seen in Mopra and ATCA data Spots confined to 0.3 arcsec region with some hint of red/blue splitting, but no strong collimation Orientation unclear, but possible seen nearly along jet axis Source possibly in phase where AGB and early PN winds collide

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Mopra Surveys Meeting Outcomes Mopra Surveys Meeting: Monday, 3 Nov 2008 Discussion of science drivers for major Mopra surveys See links below for more info: p Identified need for three distinct surveys 3-mm Survey (~115 GHz) to trace Galactic Structure 3-mm Survey (~90 GHz) to trace the chemistry and physical parameters of high-density regions (contact: Jim Jackson) 7-mm Survey (42-50 GHz) to trace dense Galactic Structure (contact: Andrew Walsh) Pilot proposals submitted in each area in Dec 08 Plans for full proposal submission for Dec 09

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Astro support of ASKAP Large Surveys Look to “ASKAP Update” item for details 38 EoIs with 354 unique authors received 15 Dec invitations to submit Survey proposals by 15 June 09 ATNF Astro support for large surveys Aim for 0.5 – 1 FTE of post-doc support of each major survey area (depending on co-funding) First two post-doc positions (with co-funding from CSIRO OCE) now advertised (close of 30 June 09) Mapping the HI Universe Exploring the Magnetic Universe Plan for at least 2 – 3 more in coming 12 months Depends on continued success of co-funding drive Open invitation to community for joint positions

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues Single Dish / Synthesis Schools Shift to annual (rather than every 2 – 3 years) school with alternating emphasis on Synthesis / Single Dish techniques “Single Dish” emphasis School 2009 at Parkes Week of 21 September? Mike Keith taking the lead on organization with support from Phil Edwards & RB

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues CABB issues ATCA is first array to enter the ultra-wide-fractional bandwidth regime with CABB’s 2 x 2 GHz Fantastic new science opportunities New calibration and imaging challenges Non-negligible source SED and Primary Beam changes across the band Shift to casapy or ASKAP software ?