KIVI Region North will visit NOVA/ASTRON on Friday 14 April.

Annemieke Janssen works as a systems engineer at the Optical-Infrared Instrumentation group of NOVA (Dutch Research School for Astronomy), based at Astron. She invites KIVI members to take a look behind the scenes at NOVA/ASTRON. The NOVA Optical-Infrared Instrumentation Group develops (sub)systems for the most advanced optical and infrared telescopes in the world and in space. NOVA masters all stages of development: from generating new ideas and technologies to using the latest standards in design and manufacture, and ensuring excellence through rigorous integration and testing.

NOVA is a key supplier of scientific instruments for the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VTL), with instruments such as: MATISSE, SPHERE, X-shooter, VISIR, SINFONI, MIDI. Instruments for the Isaac Newton Group (ING) on La Palma include: Wyffos, WEAVE and HARPS3. Telescope developments include: Multilight and the BlackGEM telescope array at ESO La Silla. Furthermore, NOVA contributed to the Mid InfraRed Instrument MIRI for the James Webb Space Telescope (NASA ESA JWST).

NOVA's focus for the near future is on developing instruments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ESO ELT). This includes the thermal infrared instrument METIS, a global collaboration in which NOVA is the Principle Investigator Institute. Other developments include: MICADO, MOSAIC and EPICS. With these instruments, astronomers will investigate the formation of stars and galaxies, determine properties of dark matter and dark energy, and characterise atmospheres of exoplanets.

The maximum number of participants is 50. For KIVI members, the activity is free. Introductees will be asked for a contribution of 10 euros.

Route information to Astron.

ASTRON is difficult to reach by public transport. However, it is possible to get from Beilen station to ASTRON by hub taxi. (https://www.publiekvervoer.nl/reizigers/hubtaxi/hubtaxi)

The board of KIVI Region North.