Mac Park scientists sharpen view of our universe

In a global collaboration, Macquarie University scientists will help construct a world-first telescope promising to be more powerful than the Hubble Telescope - without even having to leave earth.

The innovative $32-million optical instrument will be built at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, eclipsing other developments of its kind and providing images three-times clearer than Hubble.

Working with researchers from Australian National University (ANU), Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and France’s Laboratoire d’Astrophysique (LAM), Associate Professor Richard McDermid is one of the team based at MQ’s campus in the heart of Macquarie Park Innnovation District.

“This project demonstrates that Australia can not only participate in the scientific life of the observatory but can also be a core player in helping the European Southern Observatory maintain its leadership by developing unique and competitive instruments using Australian expertise,” he said.

In addition to the Department of Physics and Astronomy and on-campus observatory, MQ is also home to one of the largest astronomical centres of excellence in Australia, MQAAAstro, creating industry-leading research on space.