Daily Image

30-08-2016
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Dubbel feest!

Submitter: Richard Strom
Description: The parabolic reflector shown here - 30 m in diameter - was the largest single antenna ever built for radio astronomy in the Netherlands. If it still existed (it was dismantled many years ago), it would this year have reached retirement age(*).

Curiously, the man on the rim of the dish himself celebrates something special this month. He is Hugo van Woerden, Professor Emeritus, long-time member of the board of NFRA (ASTRON's predecessor), and he has just turned 90. Tomorrow (Aug 31st) there will be a special celebration for him in Groningen.

Huug, we are all thankful for the many years you have worked with and for SRZM/NFRA/ASTRON, and that you have much more staying power than the antenna! Gefeliciteerd met je 90e verjaardag!

(*) Editor's note: Perhaps Kootwijk was not the optimal site for a super-sensitive antenna for detecting faint radio whispers from the Universe. The cathedral-like building in the background houses a powerful transmitter that was used to exchange radio messages with Indonesia, on the other side of the globe. Radio astronomical observations were soon moved to quiet Drenthe, i.e. to Dwingeloo (1956), Westerbork (1970) and Exloo (2010).
Copyright: Hemel en Dampkring, 1951
 
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