Unlocking the great mysteries of space and Earth is now within reach, thanks to continuing investment and international collaboration by Australia’s top researchers.

Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr today announced additional Australian Government funding of $3 million to maintain Australia’s involvement in the Gemini Telescope Partnership, to ensure our astronomers can continue to use the Gemini Observatory which consists of two world class 8-metre telescopes, and $1.55 million towards the Integrated Offshore Drilling Program (IODP).

“The Gillard Government’s continued commitment to the Gemini Telescope Partnership is vital for our researchers. The partnership gives them vital access to the Gemini South telescope on the summit of Cerro Pachon in Chile, and to the Frederick C. Gillett Gemini North telescope on the top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Together these telescopes give us a view of the entire sky,” Senator Carr said.
 
“The research and experience that is made possible thanks to these telescopes is helping Australia prepare for its key role in planned next-generation radio and optical telescopes—including our bid for the Square Kilometre Array and partnership in the Giant Magellan Telescope.”

The Integrated Offshore Drilling Program is an international marine research program aimed at advancing scientific understanding of the Earth by monitoring and recording seafloor sediments and rocks, and mapping and sampling sub-seafloor environments.

Data collected through the program may provide the necessary clues to unlocking many mysteries of the Earth. Through participation in the IODP, Australian, US and Japanese scientists can better predict natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic activity, and understand natural environmental change from human activity.

“Australia stands to benefit significantly from the IODP because of our extensive seabed jurisdiction,” Senator Carr said.

“I am proud of Australia’s participation in these two research programs—they will play a pivotal role in enhancing our knowledge by using the best available technologies, and the best possible international collaborations.”

The additional funding is being provided to Astronomy Australia Ltd and the Integrated Offshore Drilling Consortium through the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme.

More information about the Gemini Telescope Partnership is available from the Gemini Observatory website, www.gemini.edu or www.astronomyaustralia.org.au.

More information about the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program is available from the IODP website, http://www.iodp.org/ or for more information on the Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme, visit http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lief/lief_default.htm.

A printable version of the media release [PDF 53KB] is available.