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17-09-2010
Goodbye, Laurentiu, and thank you
| Submitter: | Jan Noordam |
| Description: | Radio astronomers try to pick up whispering signals from the other side of the Cosmos, in the presence of an ever increasing cacaphony of powerful radio transmitters. It is like meditating in the middle of a rock concert. Fortunately, and unlike a rock concert, there (still) is a fair amount of unused space in the frequency spectrum, but increasingly sophisticated techniques are needed to eliminate interference. This is why it is very important that all spectrum users behave themselves by obeying international regulations. Perhaps surprisingly, the Big Players turn out to be very nice people, who are quite sensitive to the moral high ground of radio astronomy. Obviously, they are engaged in a fierce struggle for the spectral space they need for uplifting the masses by means of the subtle political commentary of people like Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, or edifying entertainment by Ophrah or Jerry Springer. But at the same time, perhaps as a form of atonement, they are keen to do this in such a way that there is a little room left for our contemplation of the infinite. As long as we tell them what we need. ASTRON has played an active role for decades in presenting the case of radio astronomy in international regulatory bodies. The list of our Spectral Defenders includes glittering names like Richard Schilizzi, Hans Kahlmann, Willem Baan and Titus Spoelstra. Especially the voice of the latter was "gehoord en gevreesd" in those circles. Today, we say goodbye to Laurentiu Alexe, the full-time Spectrum Manager for CRAF, who has been hosted by ASTRON for the last few years. Inevitably, he has not been very visible, since he travelled a lot, while his office was in the rather unfashionable Pavillion West. Hans van de Marel will continue as (part-time) ASTRON/JIVE representative on CRAF. Thank you, Laurentiu. Yours was a thankless job, but when LOFAR eventually detects the EoR, it will be partly thanks to your untiring labour. |
| Copyright: | ASTRON |
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