The ATLAS-SPT Survey of Cluster Galaxies

Speaker: Andrew O'Brien

Affiliation: University of Western Sydney

Time: Monday 01/02/2016 from 14:00 to 15:00

Venue: Access Grid UWS. Presented from Penrith (Y239), accessible from Parramatta (EB.1.32) and Campbelltown (26.1.50).

Abstract: Using a high-performance computing cluster to combine 4,787 radio astronomy images, we have imaged the 100 sq. deg. South Pole Telescope (SPT) deep-field at 2.1 GHz using the Australian Telescope Compact Array. By combining this data with the SPT galaxy cluster catalogue, we are investigating the effects of matter over-densities on galaxy evolution. Specifically, we are studying the evolution of radio-loud Brightest Central Galaxies over a wide range of ages in order to construct a timeline of their evolution. We are also using our radio source catalogue to generate our own set of cluster candidates identified by the presence of bent-lobed radio galaxies.

Biography:

Andrew O'Brien is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Western Sydney. His research is in the field of radio astronomy. Along with a consortium comprised of both Australian and international members, Andrew is studying a large 100 square degree field of the southern sky. In astronomical terms, this is an extremely large area and is expected to reveal thousands of previously unstudied radio sources.

Andrew graduated from the University of Western Sydney as a Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced) in 2012 and was awarded the Dean's Medal for his achievements. Andrew then graduated as a Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) in 2013 with First Class Honours and was awarded the University Medal for his research on the nearby Sculptor Group galaxy, NGC 55.

In 2013, Andrew was accepted into the Graduate Student Program at CSIRO Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS).