Quickstart | User Registration

Why registration is required?

Many astronomical datasets are freely available to download from the web in their raw or processed form without the need for an account. However, TAO is different in that both datasets of significance and value-adding eResearch tools are coupled online and made available. These tools require high-performance computing (HPC) to process (such as Swinburne University’s supercomputer, OzStar), and such resources are expensive to install and maintain. Hence, to ensure TAO's HPC is used in the most efficient and effective way, and to help us continually optimise the system, we require all users of TAO to be registered. Anyone with a legitimate association with the Astronomy community will be granted an account. The login and registration forms are accessible from the TAO home page.

Supported Methods of Authentication

TAO offered two ways to register and log in:

• Australian Access Federation (AAF): AAF authentication allows users from participating institutions to log on using their institutional credentials. To register follow the AAF link in the TAO login page and you will be automatically redirected to the AAF registration page.
• TAO Authentication: If you cannot or prefer not to use your institutional credentials, you can register for a TAO account using the TAO registration from.

Administration Approval

After submitting your registration request you need to wait for approval from our admin team. This process usually takes less than 48 hours. Our admin team will try to get back to you as soon as possible. If you have urgent need of the data or tools in TAO please register well in advance to avoid any unnecessary delays.