Astronomy and Space Science

CSIRO's radio astronomy observatories are collectively known as the Australia Telescope National Facility, with the facility supporting Australia's research in radio astronomy.

Tune into the universe at 'the Dish' and discover the world-class astronomy and engineering at this international scientific and cultural icon.

The Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre provides an engaging and inspiring experience for people of all ages.

CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope is a 64-m diameter parabolic dish used for radio astronomy

Coordinating and supporting CSIRO’s space research, industry engagement and outreach activities.

Australian and Korean radio telescopes have been linked for the first time, forming a system that acts as a telescope 8000 km across.

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is one of three Deep Space Network stations around the world providing continuous, two-way radio contact with spacecraft exploring our solar system and beyond.

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is one of three Deep Space Network stations around the world providing continuous, two-way radio contact with spacecraft exploring our solar system and beyond. CSIRO manages the facility on behalf of the Australian Government.

On CSIRO’s Marsfield site are the headquarters of the CSIRO ICT Centre and CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science (formerly the Australia Telescope National Facility, ATNF).

Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith is using cutting-edge radio receivers mounted on telescopes to measure magnetic fields in the distant universe.

The Apollo 11 moon landing was one giant leap in which CSIRO played a significant role.

In this vodcast we tune in to the universe with a tour of the famous ‘dish’ at CSIRO’s Parkes Observatory.

CSIRO’s Dr Naomi McClure-Griffiths has been dubbed the 'galactic octopus wrestler' after discovering a new spiral arm of the Milky Way and in this video podcast, she describes how it feels to uncover the secrets of the Galaxy. (3:10)

Dr John Reynolds discusses the Parkes radio telescope and its place in Australia’s history in this seven-minute podcast. (6:41)

Dr McClure-Griffiths discusses her research into astrophysics, which has seen her awarded the Malcolm McIntosh Prize, in this five-minute podcast. (5:17)

Discover how two rival scientific teams completely overthrew conventional astrophysical wisdom. In this six and a half minute podcast, CSIRO’s Dr Brian Boyle explains how the two teams won the prestigious 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize after proving the expansion of the universe is speeding up. (6:34)

Dr Tasso Tzioumis from CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility describes how scientists are linking telescopes around the world in real-time. (6:18)

Dr John Reynolds, astronomer at CSIRO's Parkes Observatory, talks about a huge burst of radio energy detected in the distant universe. (3:40)

It’s obese and yet speedy...find out why this pulsar has astronomers scratching their heads. In this podcast, Dr David Champion describes the star...and theories on why it’s such astronomical oddball.. (5:13)

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), was officially launched on January 15, 2009, with an almost non-stop, 33-hour worldwide observing marathon led by two of CSIRO’s radio telescopes. (3:26)

The hunt for gravitational waves in space continues, with high school students from Texas becoming the first people to operate 'The Dish' remotely. (4:18)

CSIRO astronomers have revealed the hidden face of an enormous galaxy called Centaurus A, which emits a radio glow covering an area 200 times bigger than the full Moon. (4:57)

In Australia, July 21 2009, marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, so in this special edition podcast we'll revisit CSIRO's involvement in delivering those famous images of Neil Armstrong's 'one small step for (a) man' to the world. (13:26)

Researchers have witnessed a star being transformed into an object that spins at almost 600 times a second using telescopes in the USA and the Netherlands, and CSIRO’s Parkes telescope in Australia. (6:10)

Discover how the Sun, Moon and Earth form one of the most spectacular astronomical events you may ever see, by turning day into night.