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  • © 2018

Low Frequency Radio Astronomy and the LOFAR Observatory

Lectures from the Third LOFAR Data Processing School

  • Presents the definitive reference for general information on motivations and techniques for low frequency radio astronomy, written by world experts in the field
  • Provides detailed information on the groundbreaking LOFAR radio telescope and its unique characteristics not covered elsewhere
  • Adds useful reading material to any astrophysics overview or astrophysical techniques course geared towards radio astronomy

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 426)

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiv
  2. Introduction to Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy and the LOFAR Telescope

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. LOFAR Overview

      • Michiel A. Brentjens, Jan David Mol
      Pages 19-36
    3. LOFAR Station Processing

      • Menne J. Norden
      Pages 37-51
  3. Fundamentals of LOFAR Data Processing

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 53-53
    2. Calibration of LOFAR

      • John McKean, Ger de Bruyn
      Pages 65-91
    3. Error Recognition in LOFAR Data

      • Elizabeth Mahony
      Pages 93-102
    4. Ionospheric Effects

      • Maaijke Mevius
      Pages 103-115
    5. Wide Field Imaging

      • Sebastiaan van der Tol
      Pages 117-137
    6. The LOFAR Standard Imaging Pipeline

      • George Heald
      Pages 139-155
  4. Advanced Topics in LOFAR Data Processing

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 157-157
    2. Polarization Imaging with LOFAR

      • Michiel A. Brentjens
      Pages 159-178
    3. Long Baseline Imaging with LOFAR

      • Javier Moldón, Eskil Varenius
      Pages 179-199
    4. Spectral Line Data Analysis with LOFAR

      • J. B. Raymond Oonk
      Pages 201-210
    5. Particle Physics with LOFAR

      • Stijn Buitink
      Pages 211-223
    6. High Time Resolution with LOFAR

      • Jason Hessels, Richard Fallows
      Pages 225-244
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 245-251

About this book

This book presents lecture materials from the Third LOFAR Data School, transformed into a coherent and complete reference book describing the LOFAR design, along with descriptions of primary science cases, data processing techniques, and recipes for data handling. Together with hands-on exercises the chapters, based on the lecture notes, teach fundamentals and practical knowledge. LOFAR is a new and innovative radio telescope operating at low radio frequencies (10-250 MHz) and is the first of a new generation of radio interferometers that are leading the way to the ambitious Square Kilometre Array (SKA) to be built in the next decade. This unique reference guide serves as a primary information source for research groups around the world that seek to make the most of LOFAR data, as well as those who will push these topics forward to the next level with the design, construction, and realization of the SKA. This book will also be useful as supplementary reading material for any astrophysics overview or astrophysical techniques course, particularly those geared towards radio astronomy (and radio astronomy techniques).

Editors and Affiliations

  • CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, Kensington, Australia

    George Heald

  • Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    John McKean

  • ASTRON, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands

    Roberto Pizzo

About the editors

About the Editors:

George Heald received his PhD in 2006 from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA. He has held several leadership roles within the LOFAR collaboration as well as other international radio astronomy projects such as the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). He now holds the position of Science Leader at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's science agency, where he leads a research team focused on the low-frequency component of the forthcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

 

Roberto Pizzo received his PhD in Astronomy  in 2010 from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. In his career, he has lead various LOFAR projects as well as several programs associated with other radio facilities, such as WSRT/APERTIF. Currently, he is the Head of Science Operations and Support for LOFAR and WSRT/APERTIF at the Radio Observatory of ASTRON. In this position, he leads a team of astronomerstackling the challenges which will be common to next generation radio facilities, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).


John McKean received his PhD in Radio Astronomy from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, in 2004. He has held various research positions at the University of California, the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, with scientific interests in galaxy formation and testing models with dark matter using very long baseline interferometry. He is currently Professor for Radio Astronomy at the University of Groningen and a Staff Astronomer at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. His work at low frequencies is focussed on studying particle energetics within radio galaxies and high resolution imaging of gravitational lenses with the International LOFAR Telescope.


Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access