Event Horizon

The Australian National University

Event Horizon

Research School of Physics

Weekly newsletter | vol 48 no 33 | 21–25 August 2023

Director's Message

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back after a glorious weekend, and I hope you got some rest after an amazingly busy National Science week. Above, some snaps from the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility Open Day on Saturday. It was a fabulous event and my thanks to all the staff and students who entertained and informed hundreds of public from all ages. (top left) Dr Michaela Froehlich delights with the effects of atmospheric pressure on an evacuated can, Dr Stefan Pavetich and Mr Aditya Babu mix the crowd favourite, strawberry liquid nitrogen ice cream, A/Prof Steve Tims illustrates some natural sources of radiation, Prof Greg Lane captivates on the nuclear fuel cycle, and Prof Nanda Dasgupta enthuses on all things nuclear. A fantastic day, and a wonderful showcase of this national facility.

From all accounts Market Day last Thursday was the best one ever, and that’s saying something! After 10 years I think we can declare it a School tradition and while many have contributed along the way I think special thanks are due to A/Prof Cormac Corr for his dedication to this event. This year over 150 students were drawn into project discussions, thank you to all who stood by a poster. As always, my gratitude goes to Nikki Azzopardi and Julie Arnold from the admin team and Martin Conway (IT) for compiling the projects into a pdf. I’m also very grateful to the ANU Physics Society for their engagement, enthusiasm and energy (photo credits below: Jodie Bradby & Cormac Corr).

My thanks to the Italian Embassy for organising the public event on the Einstein Telescope project; (top) Dr Marco Lazzarino, Italian Scientific Attaché and host of the evening, (left) Prof Orsola de Marco, Director of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics Research Centre, Macquarie University, Dist/Prof David McClelland (Director CGA), Prof Kirk McKenzie (CGA), (mid-left) Prof Mark Casali, Director of Australian Astronomical Optics and Dist/Prof Susan Scott (CGA). My thanks to all the panelists.

I'll leave you with one last photo, snapped from a bus early one morning in the Pilbara. I was very fortunate to have joined Prof Mark Knackstedt’s group (DMP) on a research trip to investigate alternative paths for green steel production. In the early morning light the spinifex seems electrified, contrasting it against the ancient ochre rocks and vaulting blue sky. Magic. Have a great week.

Tim

New HDR Student Welcome Week - 11-15 Sep

To welcome new HDR candidates and to enable their transition to University HDR life to be smooth and enjoyable, the Office of the Dean HDR are hosting a week of induction events on 11-15 September. This is a jam-packed week of face to face event and workshops designed to get your HDR candidature off to a great start - please register here.

As part of the September Induction week, the College of Science & College of Health & Medicine will hold a College Welcome Event on Thursday 14 September @ 1.30pm in the Physics Auditorium. Please register for catering reasons and come along to meet the College Dean, and Deputy Dean Education, as well as hear from current HDR candidates and supervisors as part of our panel sessions.

Our School induction for new students will be held on Monday 11 September at 1.30 pm in Room 3.03, new Physics building – an Outlook invite will be sent separately.

We strongly encourage you to attend all of these induction events and look forward to seeing you there!

InSTEM Registration - Now Open

inSTEM is a networking and career development conference for people from marginalised or underrepresented groups in STEM, and their allies. It is an initiative of the ARC Centres of Excellence.

Date: Tuesday, 19 September – Thursday, 21 September
Location: Storey Hall RMIT University, NAARM/Melbourne

For more information and to register visit www.instem.io