Low Frequency Array (LOFAR)

LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) is the starting point for information about the Scientific Applications for which the Low Frequency Array is being designed and built. Activities on the Science front are being coordinated by the Science Consortium Board (SCB).

Science Taxonomy -- LOFAR Science is being categorized according to the Science Taxonomy. The main categories are: Cosmological Studies (Reionization); Extragalactic Surveys; Acceleration, Turbulence and Propagation in the ISM; Targeted Extragalactic Observations; Galactic Surveys; Transients; Solar System; Ionosphere; and Active Observations.

Performance Taxonomy -- For each topic in the science taxonomy, a different set of requirements may be applicable. The list of parameters and other information (e.g. operational modes) that can be specified have been summarized in the Performance Taxonomy. One of the ways in which members of the Science Consortium can help with the development of LOFAR, is to fill in, correct and augment the Performance Taxonomy for a particular set of applications.

LOFAR Science -- The navigation bar on the left allows you to check out the first round of descriptions of LOFAR Scientific Applications. These have been summarized in the Scientific Applications Document (version 1.0 07-March-2001). The grouping in version 1.0 is somewhat different from the current Science Taxonomy, therefore the corresponding categories have been added.

When developing a complex instrument we constantly ask two questions:
(1) What should the instrument do?
(2) How should the instrument be build to do this?

For LOFAR, the What is described in (Sub)System Requirement Specifications; the How is described in Architectural Design Documents. These documents are collectively called the Baseline Documents* that form the primary reference for the specification and design of LOFAR. They are organised along the top-level subsystems.