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Telescopes

ASTRON is responsible for the operations of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR).

Astronomy

The astronomical research at ASTRON is closely aligned with the strengths of our facilities LOFAR and WSRT-APERTIF.

Diversity & Sustainability

ASTRON is committed to achieving a fair, welcoming, and sustainable work environment for all.

Beschermingszones


Met onze radiotelescopen nemen wij de meest zwakke signalen uit het heelal waar. Daardoor zijn zij kwetsbaar voor elektromagnetische storing. Met het tijdig treffen van de juiste maatregelen kan storing worden voorkomen.

Wireless Data Lab


Draadloze techniek lijkt vanzelfsprekend, maar de ontwikkeling ervan gaat niet vanzelf. Daarom hebben we bij ASTRON een proeftuin ingericht; het Wireless Data Lab.

Making discoveries
in radio astronomy
happen.

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, and is part of the Institutes organisation of NWO.
STORIES

ERC Starting Grant Awarded to Dr. Aditya Parthasarathy

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Dr. Aditya Parthasarathy a prestigious and extremely competitive grant to pursue his research at ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy.

News
Science
Published by the editorial team, 5 September 2023

Radio waves leaking from large satellite constellations could jeopardize astronomical exploration

The LOFAR radio telescope has shown that satellites can unintentionally emit radio waves that interfere with the observations of radio telescopes. Satellites circle the globe in ever increasing numbers. Their radio emission could, if not addressed, close unique and scientifically valuable windows into the Universe. It is of crucial importance for the astronomy sector and industry to collaborate to overcome these issues and for the International Telecommunications Union to establish regulation to control this emission.

Astronomy
LOFAR
News
Science
Published by the editorial team, 5 July 2023

Pulsar clocks open new window on gravitational waves

An international collaboration of European astronomers, together with Indian and Japanese colleagues, have seen evidence for ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves, which is expected to originate from pairs of supermassive black holes found in the centres of merging galaxies. This is the result of more than 25 years of observations with the most sensitive radio telescopes in Europe and India, including the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). In doing so, they have opened a new window on gravitational wave research. These gravitational waves contain information about the Universe's best-kept secrets. The research has been published in a series of articles in the professional journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Astronomy
News
WSRT-APERTIF
Published by the editorial team, 29 June 2023

Astronomers discover Fast Radio Bursts that skewer nearby Galaxy

Astronomers have found five new Fast Radio Bursts with the upgraded Westerbork radio telescope array. The telescope images revealed that multiple bursts had pierced our neighbouring Triangulum Galaxy. This allowed the astronomers to determine the maximum number of otherwise invisible atoms in this galaxy for the first time.

Astronomy
News
telescopes
WSRT-APERTIF
Published by the editorial team, 12 April 2023

ERC Advanced Grant for research into the origin of fast radio bursts from space

Published by the editorial team, 30 March 2023

Animation explaining the workings of LOFAR

Published by the editorial team, 23 March 2023

NAC 2023 to be held in Leeuwarden in May

Published by the editorial team, 6 March 2023

ASTRON astronomy groups focus on LOFAR and SKA

Published by the editorial team, 21 February 2023

Major upgrade of International LOFAR Telescope approved

Published by the editorial team, 7 February 2023
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DAILY IMAGE

Filming documentary 'The Night of your Life' at the WSRT

© Gijs Bakker

On 14 September, a crew from Teledoc Campus visited the WSRT to film footage for the documentary 'The Night of your Life' from Fleur Bax. The documentary, produced by IJswater Films, together with EOdocs, is about the night and the possibility to change events in the future or the past. The team wanted to film one part at the WSRT specifically: an interview with astronomer Anelotte Derkink (Uva) about a hypothetical supernova.

We look forward to seeing the result!

ASTRON daily image.
EVENTS

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