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Telescopes

ASTRON is responsible for the operations of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR).

Astronomy

The astronomical research at ASTRON is closely aligned with the strengths of our facilities LOFAR and WSRT-APERTIF.

Diversity & Sustainability

ASTRON is committed to achieving a fair, welcoming, and sustainable work environment for all.

Beschermingszones


Met onze radiotelescopen nemen wij de meest zwakke signalen uit het heelal waar. Daardoor zijn zij kwetsbaar voor elektromagnetische storing. Met het tijdig treffen van de juiste maatregelen kan storing worden voorkomen.

Wireless Data Lab


Draadloze techniek lijkt vanzelfsprekend, maar de ontwikkeling ervan gaat niet vanzelf. Daarom hebben we bij ASTRON een proeftuin ingericht; het Wireless Data Lab.

Making discoveries
in radio astronomy
happen.

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, and is part of the Institutes organisation of NWO.
STORIES

International Women in Engineering Day

Yesterday marked International Women in Engineering Day. We at ASTRON are very proud of our women engineers. Two of those are Ágnes Mika and Paula Fusiara.

News
Published by the editorial team, 24 June 2024

Origin of fast radio bursts come into focus through polarized light

Non-repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) probably originate from galaxies similar to our Milky Way.

Astronomy
News
Published by the editorial team, 11 June 2024

Violette Impellizzeri to head astronomy and operations department

We are excited that Dr Violette Impellizzeri will join ASTRON as head of the Astronomy & Operations department. She will start her new duties on 1 September 2024. Her research focus is on VLBI investigations of the molecular gas enveloping black holes and spectral line analyses.

Astronomy
News
Published by the editorial team, 31 May 2024

New calibration technique circumvents Earth’s ionosphere

An international team of researchers has developed a new calibration technique to circumvent disturbances of Earth’s ionosphere.

Astronomy
LOFAR
News
telescopes
Published by the editorial team, 6 May 2024

ASTRON has turned 75!

ASTRON launches database of female experts

LOFAR ERIC: Distributed Research Infrastructure for European Astronomical Research Launched

Telescope quartet reveals surprising statistics of cosmic flashes

Dutch astronomers prove last piece of gas feedback-feeding loop of black hole

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DAILY IMAGE

LOFAR e-learning course

© -

SDCO is excited to introduce the new e-learning course designed for new users of LOFAR. Whether you are considering using LOFAR data, writing a proposal, or simply interested in low-frequency science, radio data, or our amazing instrument, check out our e-learning

The course begins with a brief introduction to radio waves and the history of radio astronomy. It covers various emission mechanisms of radio waves and identifies sources that produce these types of emissions. You will also find an introduction to radio interferometry, including a tutorial on Fourier transforms and an overview of very long baseline interferometry. The course then explores numerous LOFAR science cases, such as lightning, pulsars, cosmic rays, galaxies, the epoch of reionisation, and many more. Finally, it delves into the specifics of LOFAR, explaining the stations, the signal path, data processing, and data retrieval. Each chapter ends with a quiz to test your knowledge.

The current e-learning material is just the beginning. We plan to expand and enhance the material by adding more videos and tutorials on e.g. calibration and polarisation, as well as showcasing planned improvements to our instrument as we transition to LOFAR2.0.

The LOFAR e-learning course is a prerequisite for the LOFAR Data School (LDS). The last LDS participants were very satisfied with it.

Currently, you can access the course at elearning-astron.nl, but it will be migrated to elearning.astron.nl soon.

The LOFAR e-learning course was created by Emma van der Wateren, with significant contributions from Irene Bonati, Elise Brouwer, Olaf Wempe, David McKenna, Lotte Stienstra, Manu Orru, and Marco Iacobelli. Many astronomers from within and outside ASTRON shared their expertise and materials to help make this course possible.

ASTRON daily image.
EVENTS

Open Dag: 6 oktober/Open Day: October 6th

Sun 06 Oct 2024

English follows Dutch   Bezoek ons tijdens onze open dag op 6 oktober Hoe klinkt een dode ster? Hoe maak je onzichtbaar licht zichtbaar? Hoe werkt een zwart gat? Waarom kun je met een radiotelescoop terug in de tijd kijken? Achter al deze en nog veel meer interessante dingen kom je tijdens onze open dag […]

@astron

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