LOFAR opens up the low-frequency universe - and starts a new SETI search
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - 07:56
in Astronomy & Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a new pan-European radio astronomy facility, has started mapping the Universe at very low energy wavelengths, a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is relatively unexplored. It will detect faint signals from the first stars and mini-black holes that emerged when the Universe was only 500 000 years old - and will also be looking for signs of other civilisations in the Universe closer to home. Dr John McKean will present the first images at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2010 in Glasgow.