News Overview
Aurorae discovered on distant stars suggest hidden planets
Using the world’s most powerful radio telescope, LOFAR, scientists have discovered stars unexpectedly blasting out radio waves, possibly indicating the existence of hidden planets.
Periodic Fast Radio Burst found bare, unobscured by strong binary wind
By connecting two of the biggest radio telescopes in the world, astronomers have discovered that a simple binary wind cannot cause the puzzling periodicity of a Fast Radio Burst after all.
Most detailed-ever images of galaxies revealed using LOFAR
After almost a decade of work, an international team of astronomers has published the most detailed images yet seen of galaxies beyond our own, revealing their inner workings in unprecedented detail.
Vidi grant awarded to astronomer Harish Vedantham
Astronomer Harish Vedantham of the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) and the University of Groningen has been awarded a ‘VIDI’ grant of 800,000 Euros from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
What does the start of construction of SKA mean for the project and the Netherlands?
At a historic meeting of its Council on 25 June 2021, the SKA Observatory (SKAO) saw its Member States give the green light for construction of the SKA telescopes in Australia and South Africa to commence. We spoke to Michiel van Haarlem, head of the Dutch SKA Office at ASTRON, about what this important milestone means.
Green light given for construction of world’s largest radio telescope arrays
At a historic meeting of its Council last week, the recently formed SKA Observatory (SKAO) saw its Member States approve the start of construction of the SKA telescopes in Australia and South Africa.
Apertif survey wraps up at end of 2021
The Apertif/ARTS surveys will wrap-up at the end of 2021. The WSRT observatory will of course continue to be operated, amongst other activities, as part of the European VLBI network.
The galaxy with a wagging tail
One of the most massive galaxies at the centre of the Abell 1775 cluster has a 2.5 million light-year long tail – twice as long as previously thought – that appears to be “wagging”.
SKA Observatory Unveils New Brand For A New Era
The newly born SKA Observatory (SKAO) has unveiled its brand following approval by the SKAO Council at its second meeting.
Famous fast radio burst FRB20180916B just barely lets itself be captured
Two international teams of astronomers (with significant Dutch involvement) have published two scientific papers with new information about the famous fast radio burst FRB20180916B.
Ultra-sensitive radio images reveal thousands of star-forming galaxies in early Universe
An international team of astronomers has published the most sensitive images of the Universe ever taken at low radio frequencies, using the International Low Frequency Array (LOFAR).
Europe’s radio and optical astronomy communities team up in new EC-funded project
A new project has kicked off to enhance cooperation between European astronomy facilities and promote transnational access among them. ASTRON (Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy), ILT (International LOFAR Telescope), JIV-ERIC (Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC), and NOVA (Netherlands Research School for Astronomy) are partners based in the Netherlands.