Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

J. W. V. Storey is a pioneering figure in Antarctic astronomy, whose research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of the Antarctic plateau as one of Earth's premier astronomical observing sites. Working primarily at the University of New South Wales, Storey has dedicated his career to characterizing and exploiting the extraordinary atmospheric conditions found at remote Antarctic locations such as Dome A and Dome C — sites distinguished by exceptionally low infrared sky backgrounds, minimal precipitable water vapour, and outstanding atmospheric stability. Among his most influential contributions is the development and deployment of PLATO, a fully autonomous robotic observatory capable of operating in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth, generating its own power, heat, and satellite communications. This engineering achievement enabled transformative science, including the landmark CSTAR survey that produced the first major point-source catalog from Dome A, garnering 40 citations. His near-infrared sky brightness measurements at the South Pole confirmed Antarctic sites to be dramatically darker than temperate observatories, reshaping site-selection priorities globally. Storey has also championed telescope robotization across Antarctic stations, convening international collaborations and publishing influential reviews on autonomous instrumentation challenges. His body of work, collectively accumulating over 140 citations, has been instrumental in opening Antarctica as a serious frontier for cutting-edge astronomical research.