An artist's impression of merging neutron stars, a source of gravitational waves.
Image: ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser
January 2019
An additional $10 million from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) will upgrade six leading Australian research facilities.
It includes $2 million for Astronomy Australia to upgrade its Gravitational Wave Data Centre. The centre works at the forefront of gravitational wave research, and also complex data technology, which includes improving the early detection of earthquakes and the navigation of autonomous vehicles.
The other NCRIS investments include:
$5 million for AuScope, a high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) national flagship led by AuScope Limited;
$1 million for the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility at the University of Adelaide;
$700,000 to upgrade Heavy Ion Accelerators at the Australian National University;
$903,000 for the Australian Phenomics Network led by the Australian National University; and
$400,000 for the the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network led by the University of Queensland.
