Building LOFAR - status update

TL;DR

LOFAR is a cutting-edge radio telescope array in Europe, utilizing aperture technology to explore cosmology, transients, re-ionisation, and cosmic rays, with recent progress on station deployment and initial data collection.

Contribution

This paper provides an update on LOFAR's development, including station deployment, technical progress, and initial observational results, highlighting its capabilities for high-resolution radio astronomy.

Findings

First fringes obtained from initial stations

Development of the super-core in Exloo completed

Deployment of multiple stations across Europe progressing

Abstract

The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) is a new generation of electronic radio telescope based on aperture array technology and working in the frequency range of 30-240 MHz. The telescope is being developed by ASTRON, and currently being rolled-out across the Netherlands and other countries in Europe. The plan is to build at least 36 stations in the Netherlands (with baseline lengths of up to 100 km), 5 stations in Germany, and 1 station in each of Sweden, France and the UK. With baseline lengths of up to 2000 km, sub-arcsecond resolution will be possible at the highest frequencies. The Key Science Projects being addressed by the project include: deep, wide-field cosmological surveys, transients, the epoch of re-ionisation and cosmic ray studies. We present the current status of the project, including the development of the super-core in Exloo and the completion of the first 3 stations. 'First fringes' from these stations is also presented.