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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. Using this technique with the LOFAR telescope, the researchers have already made some new discoveries about the distribution of radio emissions.

Published by the editorial team, 6 May 2024

“It’s like putting on a pair of glasses for the first time and no longer seeing blurred,” said research leader Christian Groeneveld (Leiden University, the Netherlands). The new calibration technique allowed the researchers to produce the first sharp radio maps of the universe at low frequencies (16-30 MHz).

According to the researchers, the new calibration technique makes it possible to study phenomena that were previously hidden. It might be used to detect exoplanets orbiting small stars. And, Groeneveld concludes, “There is, of course, a chance that we will eventually discover something unexpected.

More information about the findings of the research team can be found here.

Left shows an image of a piece of sky observed with the hitherto best calibration technique. Right shows the same piece of sky with the new technique. More detail is visible, and what were once large, blurry patches now appear as single points. (c) LOFAR/Groeneveld et al.
Left an image of a piece of sky observed with the hitherto best calibration technique. Right the same piece of sky with the new technique. (Copyright: LOFAR/Groeneveld et al.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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