Latvia’s partnership in the international LOFAR radio telescope network

On April 20 and 21, Latvia will host a significant international scientific and academic event - the strategic seminar “Latvia’s National Partnership within LOFAR ERIC,” which will bring together leading radio astronomy experts from Europe. 

The event focuses on LOFAR - one of the world’s most advanced low-frequency radio telescope networks, which, by combining 52 stations across several European countries, provides unique opportunities for multidisciplinary research in radio astronomy and astrophysics, as well as in the development of phased-array antennas and advanced data processing technologies.

Latvia participates in this network through the LOFAR station in Irbene (LV614), which is managed by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, thereby providing both technical and scientific contributions and strengthening its role in international space research.

The LOFAR international network continues to expand and develop. International cooperation at this level not only strengthens Latvia’s scientific capacity but also opens new opportunities for researchers and students to engage in world-class astronomy.

The event will feature six renowned scientists, each with significant contributions to the development of radio astronomy:

• Prof. Peter T. Gallagher (Ireland) – Chair of LOFAR–ERIC, Head of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Dublin Institute, and Director of the Dunshinna Observatory. One of Europe’s leading experts in solar physics and space weather research, as well as a member of the ESA and NASA Solar Orbiter mission team.

• Prof. Michiel van Harlem (Netherlands) – Executive Director of LOFAR-ERIC, Head of the Dutch SKA (Square Kilometer Array) project. One of the leading developers of the LOFAR telescope.

• Prof. Kamen Kozarev (Bulgaria) – Director of the Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, coordinating the establishment of LOFAR-BG – the Bulgarian LOFAR telescope station.

• Prof. Andrzej Krankowski (Poland) – Head of the Polish LOFAR infrastructure consortium POLFAR, member of the international LOFAR telescope management structure, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

• Prof. John Conway (Sweden) – Professor at Chalmers University of Technology and Director of the Onsala Space Observatory, internationally recognized LOFAR scientist.

• Dr. Cyril Tasse (France) is a LOFAR researcher at the Paris Observatory, specialising in the observation of galaxies and other astronomical objects in the low-frequency radio wave range.

The aim of the event is to strengthen Latvia’s position within LOFAR ERIC, to establish long-term cooperation with leading European radio astronomy centres, and to identify future scientific and technological directions, promoting the active involvement of Latvian researchers and students in international-level infrastructures and projects.

The event is organized as part of the project “International Cooperation and Innovation at Ventspils University College for the Development of Latvia’s Smart Specialization” (No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012).