LOWFAR: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LOWFAR: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: Astronomers discover new radio galaxy using LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR)

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Discovery of Radio Galaxy J0011+3217

Overview

• Discovery: New radio galaxy named J0011+3217
• Lead Astronomer: Shobha Kumar from Midnapore City College, India
• Instrument Used: LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR)

Radio Galaxy Characteristics

• Core Activity: Emits significant radio waves from the central core.
• Black Hole Activity: Central black hole accretes gas and dust, generating high-energy jets.
• Active Phase: Lasts up to 100 million years, characterized by features like lobes and jets.
• Transition: Becomes inactive as the active galactic nucleus (AGN) diminishes, entering a remnant phase.

LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR)

General Information

• Purpose: Observes the universe at low radio frequencies.
• Operator: Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
• Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 240 MHz
• Location: Primarily in the Netherlands, with stations across Europe
• Operational Since: 2010

Antenna Types

• Low-Band Antennas (LBA): Operate from 10 MHz to 90 MHz.
• High-Band Antennas (HBA): Operate from 110 MHz to 240 MHz.

Source: https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-discover-new-radio-galaxy-using-low-frequency-array-lofar-736903