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Despite the destruction of telescopes on Mount Stromlo in the Canberra bushfires only three weeks ago, ANU astronomers have played a crucial role in the first ever accurate measurement of the age of our universe.
An international team of astronomers has announced that the universe started in a fiery explosion, thirteen thousand, seven hundred million years ago.
"The human race lives on a tiny, insignificant planet in a remote corner of the universe," said team leader Dr Matthew Colless.
"It is amazing that we should even think of trying to measure the size, shape and age of the whole universe. But what really beggars belief is that Australian astronomers, working at a burnt out observatory, should have played a pivotal role in solving this age old question".
While the telescopes at Mt Stromlo were destroyed, the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics also runs telescopes at Siding Spring Mountain, located near Coonabarabran, NSW.
By combining observations from one of the telescopes at Siding Spring with just-released data from a NASA space-probe, an international team were able to measure not only the age of our universe, but also its shape and composition, all with unparalleled precision.
"We make extensive use of the (Australian) data," says David Spergel, one of the leaders of the NASA effort. "Without it, the NASA data alone would not have been enough to solve many of these mysteries."
Mt Stromlo Director Prof Penny Sackett, said: "For months now, astronomers around the world have been waiting with baited breath for the release of these results. It is truly an historic day not only for astronomy but for all of humanity, and we are overjoyed to have made such a large contribution."
For more information, contact:
Dr Matthew Colless (team leader): 02 6288 7835 (AH) or 02 6125 2493 (BH)
Dr Carole Jackson and Dr Simon Driver (team members): 02 6125 0222
Prof Penny Sackett: 02 6125 0230
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