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About Me

I am a member of the astronomy faculty at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) at the Australian National University (ANU). This means that I get to spend the majority of my time doing what I love: using novel instrumentation and techniques, including the world’s largest telescopes and optical interferometers, to search for planets around other stars, and to study the life cycle of stars. My most significant current project is Pyxis which aims to prototype technology for space interferometry. I lead an active research group who meet regularly as part of the FEARS and planets lunches on Tuesdays, and the GASP (Galactic Archaeology, Stars and Planets) meetings on Wednesdays.

I was a senior lecturer in astrophotonics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Macquarie University from 2011 to Jan 2014, and had a joint position in the instrument science group at the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO). I still maintain strong links to both these groups, and am the co-Project Scientist on the Gemini High-Resolution Optical Spectrograph, led by AAO. Prior to my time at MQ/AAO, I was an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Sydney. I still maintain strong links to that department also, including collaborations related to the PAVO instrument I built for the CHARA array, and on mid-infrared photonics for future exoplanet instruments.

Please email me if you are interested in a student project! When I am organised enough, I'll put projects on my ANU researchers page. They are currently on the research school project page.

I currently teach ASTR2013 (Foundations of Astrophysics) which includes a broad overview of astrophysics, astrophysical problem solving and a field trip to Siding Spring Observatory. I am also the RSAA honours convenor and guest lecture in a range of other courses.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Office Phone: +61 2 612 50288
Address : Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mount Stromlo Observatory
Cotter Road, Weston Creek, ACT 2611, AUSTRALIA
Work Email: michael DOT ireland AT anu DOT edu DOT au
Personal Email: mirelandastro AT gmail DOT com
Curriculum Vita: PDF