Harnessing the Opportunities in the Approaching Radio Astronomy Renaissance
by
D6-135
UHG
Radio astronomy is about to step into a new era of technical and scientific capability.
ASTRON, operating and developing the expansion of LOFAR, for the soon to be formed ERIC, while SKA enters construction of the largest radio observatory ever built. On the horizon, to complement and compete, are the ngVLA and DSA-2000. ASTRON, as the Netherlands centre for radio astronomy, looks now to its role in this renaissance, and in its opportunities with our LOFAR and SKA partners. ASTRON is developing a science data centre to lead the world in providing the broadest accessibility to science-ready data products in the radio regime, committed to lowering the barrier of access to the radio universe for the widest community of astronomers possible, in advance of hosting the upcoming SKA regional centre.
The coming renaissance is not without challenge particularly in facing and overcoming the daunting data collection, processing and storage bottlenecks and to develop green solutions for our expanding environmental impacts.
ASTRON is developing its long-look strategic plan around these goals with our national and international community, focusing on ensuring in this decade of world-spanning facilities, we maintain agency and opportunity for our researchers to lead impactful science and technology developments.
Dominik Schwarz