Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL) is an independent not-for-profit company whose members are all Australian universities and research organisations with a significant astronomy research capability. AAL's vision is that astronomers in Australia will have access to the best astronomical research infrastructure. The goals of AAL are to engage with Australian astronomers to advance the national infrastructure priorities of the Australian Astronomy Decadal Plan, advise the Government on new astronomy infrastructure investments, and manage infrastructure investments as required.
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The organization was incorporated in 2007 as recommended by the National Committee for Astronomy of Australia, a committee of the Australian Academy of Science. Astronomy Australia Ltd manages projects funded by its $10 million Education Investment Fund (EIF) grant awarded in May 2009 by DIISRTE. The EIF project period is July 2011 to June 2013.
AAL was involved in a number of projects that are part of the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) for Radio and Optical Astronomy. NCRIS was announced in November 2006, and the programme officially ended in June 2011. Several of the projects funded under AAL's $45 million share of NCRIS continue to be funded by EIF.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Professor Brian Schmidt.
Projects
Facilities and projects associated with AAL:
In addition, AAL manages funds from the Australian Research Council and Australian Astronomical Observatory for the Gemini and Magellan telescopes, and is in partnership with the Australian National University for building the Giant Magellan Telescope.
Membership
The current Members are