Arnold van Ardenne (Astron, Netherlands)

The upgraded WSRT array, some early results and ensuing developments to next generation telescopes - Arnold van Ardenne Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

After a ten years development effort, Westerbork got a lease on live for
at least another ten years. Its increased flexibility and over ten times
increased sensitivity (in particular in L-band), already resulted in
some beautiful observations. At the same time, the instrument is a
reference instrument for new instrumental developments in this case to
explore the options for next generation radio telescopes. In this
colloquium, an overview of the rejuvenated WSRT together with some early
observational results will be given together with the instrumental
developments that point the way to LOFAR and SKA. Besides, we will
briefly mention the involvement in optical-IR instrument developments
for e.g. ESO´s VLT/VLTI.