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4.1 Baseline Extension

1. Introduction

Once LOFAR Phase 1 has been completed, geographical extension to the remote stations will be carried out so that longer baselines will be obtained in order to improve the radio telescope performances in terms of resolution. From this point of view, the broader the participation at European level is, the better achievements can be obtained. Following this philosophy, the idea to install a LOFAR station in Medicina was considered, since it would offer great advantages for several reasons. Italy would become member of the consortium that will manage the first new generation radio telescope, now under construction. This would have undoubtedly very positive consequences in the Italian scientific research and would give more importance and visibility to the Medicina radio astronomical station. Taking part in this project italian astronomers would have an active participation in the use of this innovative instrument.

Furthermore, besides the possibility to share technological research and knowledge, the participation to the LOFAR Consortium would allow a very qualified scientific training for young Italian astronomers and the opportunity to benefit from consortium unemployment funds and research grants.
 

2. The Core
3.Technical Details
3.1 The System
3.2 Data processing
3.3 Antennas spec.
4.Lofar at Medicina
4.1 Baseline extension
4.2 Lofar Kit
4.3 Superstation
5. Science

In addition local researchers could exploit the enormous potentialities of the instrument in order to develop new research programs on their own. In the same way they could work out also new research programs in collaboration with institutes of other countries.

It still remains to be established if and how this project could be realized. From this point of view the radio astronomical station of Medicina presents many positive aspects that have to be mentioned.

The plan foresees two different stages, which could be managed one after the other or in parallel. The simplest and most immediate is represented by the purchasing of the installation kit of a LOFAR remote station to be placed in Medicina; the second one, more complex but with great advantages in terms of performances, consists in the technological modification of the East-West arm of "Northern Cross" Radio Telescope to make it suitable also for LOFAR frequencies.

   
 

 

 

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