Blog icon

3 November 2021 Statement

Fast radio bursts are short, sharp pulses of radio waves lasting a few milliseconds that are very difficult to detect. 

Dr Bannister and his team identified that the bursts come from distant galaxies and can be used to answer some of astronomy’s biggest questions. 

Dr Bannister’s pioneering research uses the ASKAP radio telescope in Murchison, WA, which is owned and operated by CSIRO. 

In 2017, Dr Bannister modified the way the telescope can be used to find more radio bursts more efficiently than ever before, then designed an innovative system for ASKAP that could narrow down the origin point of each incoming burst.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall congratulated Dr Bannister, as well as all the winners of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. 

“At CSIRO, our people are our greatest asset, so this is a well-deserved honour for Keith and his team, whose work has had a transformative impact on the world’s understanding of our place in the Universe,” Dr Marshall said.

“CSIRO is proud to create and manage world-class national infrastructure like ASKAP that supports the entire academic system to perform world-class research, underpinned by strong collaborative partnerships to make life better for all Australians.”

CSIRO’s Director of Space and Astronomy Dr Douglas Bock praised Dr Bannister’s talents as an engineer and astronomer.

“Keith’s combination of skills and experience enabled him to bring an innovative approach to a challenge and deliver a unique solution for astronomy," Dr Bock said.

"It is this type of innovation that is at the heart of the Australia Telescope National Facility, which CSIRO manages for the Australian research community. My warmest congratulations to Keith on this well-deserved award.”

Telescopes all over the world are now being turned to seek more fast radio bursts and the information they contain.

Dr Bannister said winning the prize was a great honour, and thanked his research partners and collaborators.

“The more fast radio bursts we find, the more we can find out about our Universe,” Dr Bannister said.

“I do what I do because I love it. I’m so passionate about what I do, and I hope that this recognition in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science inspires others to support and pursue science.” 

Read the announcement of all the winners of this year’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/covid-19-vaccine-pioneer-awarded-prime-ministers-prize-science

CSIRO acknowledges the Wajarri Yamatji as the traditional owners of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site where ASKAP is located.

Images

CSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope under the Milky Way ©  CSIRO/A. Cherney
Dr Keith Bannister ©  DISER

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.