Understanding the Evolution of the Universe

Our program seeks to understand the basic evolution of the Universe since the time that the first stars and galaxies formed 13 billion years ago. This includes understanding a form of matter called Dark Energy which is pushing the Universe apart, discovering when the first stars formed in the Universe, and untangling how galaxies, including our own Milky Way, were assembled. This program will use the whole range of Australian telescope facilities including the new SkyMapper telescope, whose construction and operation this proposal will spearhead.