Edges of Astronomy conference starts today

A group of eminent astronomers, policy leaders and outstanding early- and mid-career researchers are gathering in Canberra for an exciting two-day conference on astronomy.

Edges of Astronomy is the latest in the Australian Academy of Science’s Frontiers of Science series which brings together the best young Australian scientists together with leaders in their fields.

This year the expert group will explore the potential economic benefits of astronomy, its technological spinoffs (such as WiFi), career development and astronomy’s impact on the public awareness of science.

The conference will kick off tonight with a talk by Dr Lisa Harvey Smith on her work as the project scientist for the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). The pathfinder is the precursor for the $2 billion international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project — one of the biggest and most ambitious scientific projects ever conceived.

Other highlights of the conference will include:

• The role of venture capital in bringing basic research to impact, Dr Larry Marshall, Southern Cross Ventures
• The edge of the Universe—a fundamental limit how much we can know? Associate Professor Tamara Davis, The University of Queensland
• Economic impacts of basic research, Dr Jenny Gordon, Productivity Commission
• From astronomy to archaeology, art history and art conservation, Dr Haida Liang, Nottingham Trent University, UK

You can follow the conference by following the Academy's twitter account @science_academy or via #AusFo2014 or via the conference live blog. You can also watch the conference via our livestream.

The Australian Frontiers of Science symposium series is generously supported by the Theo Murphy (Australia) Fund, courtesy of the Royal Society of London.

More information about the Edges of Astronomy conference.

^{Photo Credit: Karl Lindsay Photography via Compfight cc}