Space Astronomy

Australian involvement in the field of space-based astronomy is rich and varied. Currently, Australian astronomers are engaged with major initiatives like the James Webb Space Telescope and eROSITA, as well as with smaller facilities run by NASA, ESA and other national space agencies. 

This illustration shows the cold side of the Webb telescope, where the mirrors and instruments are positioned. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Northrop Grumman.
This image shows half of the X-ray sky, projected onto a circle (so-called Zenit Equal Area projection) with the centre of the Milky Way on the left and the galactic plane running horizontally. Photons have been colour-coded according to their energy (red for energies 0.3-0.6 keV, green for 0.6-1 keV, blue for 1-2.3 keV). Credit: MPE, J. Sanders for the eROSITA consortium.

Australian involvement in current missions:

  • eROSITA: eROSITA (extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array) is an X-ray instrument currently in orbit. In 2024, data from the first all-sky survey was released, yielding the largest X-ray catalogue ever published. AAL supports Australian-based astronomers and institutions via an agreement signed between AAL and the German eROSITA Consortium (eROSITA-DE). See more on eROSITA here.
  • James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): the most sensitive infrared space-based observatory ever put into orbit. JWST is able to detect light that has travelled the universe for more than 13 billion years. Australians designed the masking mirrors that improved the precision of the international space science mission. The James Webb Australian Data Centre, based at Swinburne University of Technology, is helping to facilitate this grand scientific endeavour and cope with the large amount of data that will be obtained by the JWST.
  • SpIRIT: The first mission of the Australian Space Agency (demonstrator of novel technology and growing space industry capabilities) – an international collaboration.
  • TOLIMAN: A mission to search for Earth analog around Alpha Centuri. This mission is also a technology demonstrator for Astrometry – funded by ARC, SmartSatand Breakthrough foundation.
Space Situational Awareness

Australian astronomers are also well placed to track the number of objects in space, known as Space Situational Awareness. Many facilities in Australia are already dedicated to tracking the small and large objects in a variety of orbits. Australian industry is also active in this area, building small space cameras to take close-up shots of the objects in orbit.

AAL’s Space Science Leads Committee

In the fast-developing space sector in Australia, the AAL Space Science Leads Committee is tasked with representing Australian astronomers at national and international space fora. See more here.