MNRF Program Management and Background
The ATNF, together with co-proponents the University of Tasmania and the (then) CSIRO Division of Radiophysics, lodged an initial funding submission under the Major National Research Facilities Program scheme in November 1994. A final proposal by the ATNF and the University of Tasmania was submitted in January 1995. In November 1995, as part of the Innovation Statement, a number of National Facility Grants were announced, amongst which the ATNF was awarded A$11M for this upgrade. Following notification of the success of the application, a contract was signed between the Commonwealth, CSIRO and the University of Tasmania on 19 February 1997. The contract covers three major areas:
- an ATNF upgrade of its Compact Array radio telescope to operate at high frequencies (corresponding to millimetre wavelengths), and an extension of its very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) capabilities;
- a University of Tasmania expansion of its VLBI capabilities at radio observatories in Hobart and Ceduna, and the operation of those observatories as national facilities;
- a program to enhance international collaboration by developing links between major astronomical research facilities in Australia and overseas. Proposals for funding are assessed by the National Committee for Astronomy of the Academy of Science. The ATNF has responsibility for the administration of this program.
In addition to the major ATNF upgrades, the contract provides for the funding of two small ATNF strategic research projects, purchase of test equipment by both the ATNF and the University of Tasmania, program definition and project management, and project manpower. The contract also specifies a number of milestones, the principal dates being March 2000 and January 2002 for completion of the VLBI and high-frequency upgrades.
Further Background Information:
Related Documents
- Reports to ATUC
- Report of the External Advisory Committee
- ATNF future development plans and costings
- Scheduling the ATNF at millimetre wavelengths - a discussion
- mm calibration strategies for the MNRF upgrade
- Technical Memos
Notes from MNRF meetings
- mm Calibration Strategies for the MNRF, 27 October 1997
- ATOMS/ACC project Review, 7 November 1997
- Scheduling discussion paper
- 3.5 or 2.7 mm?
Other related mm-information
- Millimetre Telescopes, Instruments, etc.
- Other Millimetre Receiver Developments
- Spectral Line Catalogs
- Lovas Spectral Line Catalog (most amazing !!)
- Millimetre-Wave Related Conferences (past + future)
- SEST observations of southern flat-spectrum radio sources
The following material is dated and is included for historical reference
- Technical background to the decisions made (written May 1996)
- Contractual background (written July 1996)
- Proposed upgrade parameters (written April 1996)
- Annual cashflow (written May 1997)
