Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

This PhD project will develop from a well-established field of research for the operations of optical observatories, to address the similar questions that arise for the next generation of radio observatories, such as the SKA, for which the low-frequency component is in Western Australia. The standout science goal of SKA-Low is the detection of the Epoch of Reionisation (EOR), which would confirm the formation of the first stars in the universe and is an exquisite test of cosmology. But the detection of the EOR signal requires observing in the very best of conditions. However, it would be very inefficient to observe just to find out that the conditions had not been optimal and thus have to throw away the data and reobserve.

Optical and sub-millimetre observatories predict the coming conditions a few days/hours ahead to schedule the most important observations. The next generation radio observatories (SKA-Mid, SKA-Low, ngVLA, LOFAR-2.0, etc) needs the same. The PhD will take several approaches, all of which promise good results, and compare them to identify areas where they might be complementary:

Predictions are now quite sophisticated. This strand will involve comparing the predictions to the observed conditions for the EOR studies. Is one able to analytically predict which are the best days/hours for EOR observations?

The alternative is Machine Learning of Large Scale Ionospheric to predict the conditions for EoR observations and use that to alter the telescope schedule.

Prediction of Fine Scale structure from the Large scale structure is vital, as it is the fine-scale structure that contaminates the data. However, the fine-scale structure is harder to observe and simulate. Can we predict the actual fine-scale structure from the more easily monitored large scale structure? This portion of the Ph.D. could potentially explore the impact and accessibility of ionospheric measurements and simulations more generally.

Professor Andreas Wicenec | andreas.wicenec@uwa.edu.au

Director, Data Intensive Astronomy

Dr Maria Rioja | maria.rioja@uwa.edu.au

Senior Research Fellow (ICRAR/OAN)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of a thesis, sometimes including a creative work component, that is examined externally. The work presented for a PhD must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject of interest as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. 

Visit the course webpage for full details of this course including admission requirements, course rules and the relevant CRICOS code/s.