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APP and ASTRONMarco de Vos – ASTRON Director of R&D, acting Adjunct Director

(devos@astron.nl)

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ASTRON

NWO Institute for Astronomical InstrumentationOur mission:“Making astronomical discoveries happen…”

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The many faces of the supernova remnant Casseopeia A

X-ray

optical

infrared

radio

facets

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Making discoveries happen

Strong Astronomical Science program

Frontline observing facilitiesWSRT still excellent radio-telescope LOFAR-era starting nowSKA longer term Working towards SKA

Advanced Technology LabCompleting and enabling LOFAR Entering Preparatory Phase for SKATechnology Transfer

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Locations and facilities

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Size and scope

~180 employees

Annual turnover ~18M€Base funding from NWO ~30%

Project subsidies obtained in competition

NWO, STW, ministries of Education & Economic Affairs, EC, …

Contract research & spin-off activities

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Science Horizons

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Science Horizons

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Science Horizons

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First exposure to APP

~ 2000 – Realisation by Falcke that LOFAR concept is ideally suited for UHECR detection

Large number of distributed antennasSoftware-intensive detection systemsData-buffers & triggers

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LOPES @ Karlsruhe

Falcke et al. (2005), Nature, Vol. 435, p. 313

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LOFAR Key Science Program

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Long term perspective on APP

Astronomical Science programThrough LOFAR KSPSKA Science WGs

Observing facilitiesWSRT: NuMoonLOFAR for UHECRSKA European Operations

Advanced Technology LabMaintain competences & facilitiesContribute on project basis

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Astronomy makes things happen