Colliding galaxy cluster unravelled

An international team of astronomers has used the International LOFAR Telescope from ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, to study the formation of the galaxy cluster Abell 2256. Lees verder

Over 800 visitors on open day @ ASTRON's LOFAR telescope

Over 800 people visited the LOFAR telescope last Saturday during the open day at ASTRON. Lees verder

Sounds of the Universe in 'De Wereld Draait Door University'

On Ascension Day (Thursday, May 17), Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf will give a live class in the programme De Wereld Draait Door (DWDD). He will teach viewers about the origins of the universe and our planet Earth under the title 'Big Bang'. Don't miss it: Ned 3 at 19.25 hrs in De Wereld Draait Door University. Lees verder

"European" radio astronomy transcends borders; South Africa's National Research Foundation joins JIVE

The Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) proved again Thursday that it is not restricted by its name, as it welcomed the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa as a member. JIVE's funding organisations already include the National Astronomical Observatories of China, as well as European national research councils and facilities in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Lees verder

ASTRON proud at contribution to first instrument James Webb Space Telescope

On Wednesday 9 May, the official transfer took place of the Mid InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) by ESA to NASA. The NOVA Optical/ Infrared group at ASTRON was responsible for the concept, design, building and testing of the optical modules for the spectrometer. Lees verder

Be an astronomer for one day at ASTRON!

On Saturday 12 May, ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy will participate in the open days of the EU (in Dutch: EU Kijkdagen) of the Northern Netherlands Provinces (SNN). ASTRON invites visitors to come visit LOFAR, the biggest radio telescope in the world. Lees verder

Restoration Dwingeloo Radio Telescope kicks off

ASTRON, the Netherlands institute for Radio Astronomy, kicks off the restoration of the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope. The restoration of this monument, owned by ASTRON, is awarded to Multi Paint Steel Preservation BV from Stadskanaal. Holstein Restoration Architecture from Groningen will manage the project. The Dwingeloo Radio Telescope was, at the time of its opening in 1956 by Queen Juliana, the largest radio telescope in the world. Until the ‘90s of last century, the telescope has served as a scientific instrument. Astronomers discovered the galaxies Dwingeloo I and II with the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope. In 1998, the 25-meter dish, was placed in the so-called storm position and since then, has no longer been used for scientific purposes. With the establishment of the CAMRAS foundation in 2007, the radio telescope has been given a new purpose for amateurs and education. Lees verder

Under 'dark halo' old galaxies have many more stars

Some of the oldest galaxies in the Universe have three times more stellar mass, and so many more stars, than all current models of galaxy evolution predict. The finding comes from the Atlas3D international team, led by Michele Cappellari (Oxford), and including ASTRON astronomers Paolo Serra, Raffaella Morganti and Tom Oosterloo, who found a way to remove the 'halo' of dark matter that has clouded previous calculations. Lees verder

Meisjes op weg naar nieuwe ontdekkingen in de sterrenkunde

Op donderdag 26 april aanstaande gaan dertig meisjes van verschillende middelbare scholen tijdens de internationale Girlsday voor één dag ontdekkingen doen bij de sterrenkundige instituten ASTRON, JIVE en de NOVA Optisch/ Infrarood groep. Lees verder

The Nederlands and South-Africa join forces for Big Data

Public private partnerships get an international dimension. On April 5th, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, the South-African National Research Foundation, IBM Netherlands and IBM South-Africa signed a memorandum of understanding on joint research into advanced ICT targeted at radio astronomy. Lees verder

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