Optical Telescopes Advisory Committee

Terms of Reference

The Optical Telescopes Advisory Committee is a committee of Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL). The purpose of OTAC is to assist AAL by executing the following:

• To consider the operational performance of all Australia's national optical/infra-red telescopes (including the Australian share of international facilities), with particular regard to whether they both individually and in combination cater for the scientific needs of the Australian community;
• To monitor and assess the progress of any national optical/infra-red telescope projects funded by AAL; and
• To keep the AAL Board appraised of global developments in major optical/infra-red telescope facilities, and provide it with strategic advice accordingly.

Membership

• Members of OTAC are appointed by the AAL Board for a fixed term, with the possibility of renewal.

Composition

• Gary Da Costa, Australian National University, until 31 December 2011
• Joss Bland-Hawthorn (Chair), University of Sydney, until 31 December 2011
• Karl Glazebrook, Swinburne University of Technology, until 31 December 2010
• Peter Quinn, University of Western Australia, until 31 December 2010
• Scott Croom, University of Sydney, until 31 December 2011
• Warrick Couch, Astronomy Australia Ltd, until 31 December 2010
• Stuart Ryder, Anglo-Australian Observatory, until 31 December 2011
• Michael Brown, Monash University, until 31 December 2010
• Chris Tinney, University of New South Wales, until 31 December 2011