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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

Vidi granted to Joe Callingham to create space weather reports for distant worlds

Dr. Joe Callingham, Head of ASTRON’s SKA Science Group, has been awarded a prestigious Vidi grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The grant, worth up to €850,000, will enable him to establish a research group focused on one of astronomy’s most fundamental questions: which planets beyond our solar system could support life?

Astronomy
Science
Published by the editorial team, 23 October 2025

Radio bursts reveal feisty magnetic arches

An international team has discovered a new type of radio emission originating from a red dwarf star.

Astronomy
News
Published by the editorial team, 17 October 2025

Radio astronomers join global standards body seeking to address satellite interference

The Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) has been admitted as an I-member of the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR), the international body that sets standards to prevent electronic devices from interfering with each other.

Astronomy
News
Published by the editorial team, 24 September 2025

Astronomers pinpoint the source of the brightest one-off fast radio burst ever

An international team of astronomers has localized one of the brightest non-repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) ever observed to a nearby galaxy.

Astronomy
News
Science
WSRT-APERTIF
Published by the editorial team, 21 August 2025
DAILY IMAGE

Mushrooms of ASTRON

© Arno Schoenmakers

The national park Dwingelderveld around the ASTRON office is extremely rich in different species of mushrooms. There have been counted more than 1000 different ones. This indicates how special this area is, and that nature preservation is quite successful. What you also see is that the different types of soil and vegetation in the park harbour different species.

To give an impression of the diversity of mushrooms you can encounter on your daily stroll, I made a round in the area directly surrounding the ASTRON facility and took some pictures of different species I encountered. I am always really amazed by the amount, colorfulness and beauty of these wonders of nature. And this is just a small selection of what is really out there…!

The next time that you take a lunch walk, allow yourself to step a bit off the path, stand still or crouch close to the ground, and in time you will start seeing also the tiny little ones which are really abundant in many places. Enjoy it now, as this is peak season!

ASTRON daily image.
EVENTS

8th LOFAR Data School

Wed 16 Sep 2026 - Wed 23 Sep 2026

We are happy to announce that the 8th LOFAR Data School (LDS2026) will take place at ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (Dwingeloo, The Netherlands) from 16 to 23 September 2026. RATIONALE The goal of the school is to assist the participants in the generation and analysis of LOFAR science ready data. The school will cover the […]

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