In:
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 2, No. 14 ( 2006-08), p. 386-387
Abstract:
LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) is an innovative radio telescope optimized for the frequency range 30–240 MHz. The telescope is realized as a phased aperture array without any moving parts. Digital beam forming allows the telescope to point to any part of the sky within a second. Transient buffering makes retrospective imaging of explosive short-term events possible. The scientific focus of LOFAR will initially be on four key science projects (KSPs): ( i ) Detection of the formation of the very first stars and galaxies in the universe during the so-called epoch of reionization by measuring the power spectrum of the neutral hydrogen 21-cm line (Shaver et al . 1999) on the ∼ 5′ scale; ( ii ) Low-frequency surveys of the sky with of order 10 8 expected new sources; ( iii ) All-sky monitoring and detection of transient radio sources such as γ-ray bursts, X-ray binaries, and exo-planets (Farrell et al . 2004); and ( iv ) Radio detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos (Falcke & Gorham 2003) allowing for the first time access to particles beyond 10 21 eV (Scholten et al . 2006). Apart from the KSPs open access for smaller projects is also planned. Here we give a brief description of the telescope.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1743-9213
,
1743-9221
DOI:
10.1017/S174392130701112X
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2006
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2170724-8
SSG:
16,12
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