I-LOFAR – Exploring the radio universe from Ireland (original) (raw)
Welcome to the Irish Low Frequency Array (I-LOFAR) website. I-LOFAR is the Irish station in a European-wide network of state-of-the-art radio telescopes, used to observe the Universe at low frequencies (10-240 MHz). With the award of €1.4 million from Science Foundation Ireland, the I-LOFAR consortium have built a cutting-edge astrophysics observing facility in Birr Castle, Co. Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. This facility connects Ireland to the International LOFAR Telescope, which is one of the most sophisticated and advanced astrophysics research projects in the world. The integration of Irish astrophysics into such a large scale international astrophysics research facility allows Irish researchers to make ground-breaking advances in numerous fields of physics and data science, and inspire young scientists and engineers to pursue the advancement of Irish astrophysics for decades to come.
I-LOFAR
I-LOFAR is a low frequency radio telescope based at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly in Ireland. It connects to the International LOFAR Telescope network which stretches nearly 2,000 km from Ireland to Poland.
Team
The I-LOFAR Consortium primarily includes researchers from Ireland and Northern Ireland, but also includes leading scientists from the UK, the Netherlands and the US.
Education
I-LOFAR represents a great opportunity to engage with school children of all ages and teach them about the exciting I-LOFAR research in physics, engineering and data science.
Support
I-LOFAR are seeking Donors to support this exciting project, following generous donations from Dermot Desmond, Denis O’Brien and Joe Hogan. Please contact Professor Peter Gallagher for further details.
Focus on
I-LOFAR Supporting ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter Science Operations
14/03/2025
The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter space mission was launched…
https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/image-e1741966489723.png 872 857 Peter Gallagher https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/003\_I-LOFAR\_Logotype\_White-1.png 2025-03-14 15:37:292025-03-14 15:38:46I-LOFAR Supporting ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter Science Operations
2023 Research Summer Internship Programme with I-LOFAR
11/01/2023
Does spending your Summer conducting research using a world-class…
https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/003\_I-LOFAR\_Logotype\_White-1.png 0 0 Seamus Duffy https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/003\_I-LOFAR\_Logotype\_White-1.png Seamus Duffy2023-01-11 12:52:592023-01-11 13:03:012023 Research Summer Internship Programme with I-LOFAR
https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/JWST-Talk-Poster-8x10-for-website.png 605 756 Áine Flood https://lofar.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/003\_I-LOFAR\_Logotype\_White-1.png Áine Flood2021-12-06 18:03:582021-12-16 14:34:05Winter Solstice 2021 - What will we see with the JWST?
Consortium
Big Questions That LOFAR Could Answer
Are we alone in the universe?
LOFAR will enable scientists to search for planets in other star systems, and also to detect very weak radio signals from far away, perhaps indicating intelligent life.
How do clusters of galaxies, galaxies, stars and planets form?
LOFAR will provide clues to the processes forming the Universe today, including the origins of magnetic fields and cosmic rays, the birth of stars and planets, and perhaps the origin of life.
How does the sun affect the earth?
Solar storms can produce spectacular auroral displays, but large events can interrupt GPS, damage satellites, and disrupt power grids. LOFAR will track these disruptive storms, enabling us to better forecast their impacts at Earth.
What did the universe look like soon after the big bang?
LOFAR will take radio images of the Universe soon after the Big
Bang, enabling us to understand its origins and early evolution.
What are black holes?
These enigmatic objects were predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. LOFAR will enable us to study black holes in the centre of distant galaxies with more detail than ever before.
Where can I see all of this?
Birr Castle, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland!
Latest News
Supporters
Birr Kids Space Ireland
Birr Scientific & Heritage Foundation
Grant Engineering
Joe Hogan (Openet)
Dermot Desmond
Denis O’Brien
Birr Lions Club
Birr Chamber of Commerce
Funders
Science Foundation Ireland
Enterprise Ireland
HEAnet
Dept. of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation
Offaly County Council
Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural, and Gaeltacht
Dept. for Communities
Consortium Members
TCD
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
UCD
DCU
UCC
NUIG
DIAS
AIT
Location
Birr Castle Gardens & Science Centre
Rosse Row, Birr,
County Offaly,
R42 VO27
