The LOFAR Solar Imaging Pipeline and the LOFAR Solar Data Center

TL;DR

This paper presents the LOFAR Solar Imaging Pipeline and Data Center, enabling high-resolution solar radio observations and data management at low radio frequencies using LOFAR's advanced interferometry capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a dedicated pipeline and data center for processing, archiving, and accessing solar radio data from LOFAR, enhancing solar radio burst studies.

Findings

Effective high-resolution solar imaging at low frequencies.

Streamlined data processing and archiving system.

Improved access to solar LOFAR data.

Abstract

LOFAR is a new and sensitive radio interferometer that can be used for dynamic high-resolution imaging spectroscopy at low radio frequencies from 10 to 90 and 110 to 250 MHz. Here we describe its usage for observations of the Sun and in particular of solar radio bursts. We also describe the processing, archiving and accessing of solar LOFAR data, which is accomplished via the LOFAR Solar Imaging Pipeline and the LOFAR Solar Data Center.