Radio galaxy data sent faster

Auckland University of Technology’s Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research at Curtin University in Perth have made a contribution to Australia-New Zealand square kilometre array development with a high-speed data transfer trial.

Data from AUT’s 12 m radio telescope at Warkworth, recorded during joint Trans-Tasman radio astronomical observations of radio galaxy Centaurus A, was successfully transferred to Curtin University at 1 Gbps. It took less than an hour to transfer 0.5 TB of radio astronomical data from AUT to Curtin.

This was made possible by the recent upgrade of Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network’s international connectivity between New Zealand and Australia from 155 Mbps to 1 Gbps. KAREN’s new international network went live on 15 November and provides the only research link between New Zealand and Australia.

The upgraded service provides 1 Gbps capacity to both Sydney and Los Angeles, greatly enhancing the opportunity for KAREN members to communicate and collaborate with the global research and education community.