Westerbork RT1 observing efficiency in 2024

© ASTRON

In 2024, the Westerbork single 25-m dish known as RT1 delivered outstanding scientific results, thanks in large part to an impressive observing efficiency of 86.3%! Here's the breakdown:

VLBI observations: 531 hours

eVLBI observations: 249 hours

PRECISE interferometric observations to localise FRBs: 246 hours

HyperFlash high-cadence observations of FRBs: 6529 hours

Total Observing Hours: 7555 hours

On top of its contribution to the European VLBI Network (EVN), the telescope detected hundreds of high-energy fast radio bursts (FRBs), leading to several Astronomer's Telegrams and papers in preparation. This is also helping to train MSc and PhDs students, who get hands on experience with the telescope.

A special thank you to our dedicated maintenance crew for keeping the telescope and receivers running flawlessly. Your hard work makes these achievements possible! Let's keep aiming higher in 2025!