Making Discoveries in Radio Astronomy happen!

ASTRON's goal is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen. ASTRON provides front-line observing capabilities for its own astronomers in-house, and for the wider national/ international community. We expect this strategy to regularly result in astronomical discoveries that significantly influence our understanding of the content, the structure and the evolution of the Universe.

ASTRON focuses on:

• the operation of front line observing facilities, in particular the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and LOFAR (the Low Frequency Array).
• the scientific exploitation of these telescopes (and other astronomical instruments across the world) via a strong, dynamic and expanding Astronomy Group. 
• a strong technology development programme, encompassing both innovative instrumentation for existing telescopes and the new technologies needed for future facilities.

In addition, we are active in the international science policy arena, especially regarding the future of radio astronomy in Europe and the construction of the future, next generation radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Wherever appropriate, we also enter into cooperative arrangements with international organisations, major national industries and many regional/ local partners to help achieve these goals. Bringing technology, developed for radio astronomy, to the market place is also a goal of our organisation. 

For more information about ASTRON, please consult the links above.

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