Astronomy is an observational science, relying on remote sensing of the distant Universe to advance understanding of its content and evolution.

Radio telescopes

ASTRON operates The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) , one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. ASTRON is currently constructing LOFAR, an advanced electronic telescope, that will open up a new window on the Universe by operating at radio frequncies between 30-220 MHz. 

In addition to its use as a standalone radio telescope, the Westerbork array participates in the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN) of radio telescopes. More

ASTRON is the host institute for the Joint Institute for VLBI (JIVE) in Europe. Its primary task is to operate the EVN MkIV VLBI Data Processor (correlator). JIVE also provides a high-level of support to astronomers and the Telescope Network.

Other telescopes

Over the years, ASTRON has also contributed to the construction of different instruments for the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescopes, four 8-m telescopes located in Chile. The institute has also supported telescope activities in La Palma and at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii. The JCMT is one of the most productive sub-mm radio telescopes in the World.