LOFAR Superterp - Buinen

In the middle of the Drenthe landscape between Exloo and Buinen, lies the LOFAR Superterp, part of one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. Together with other stations in the Netherlands and Europe, this special network of thousands of small antennas forms a gigantic telescope that captures radio waves from the universe. Where ordinary telescopes observe visible light, LOFAR detects low frequencies, which scientists use to study, among other things, the birth of stars and the Big Bang.

What makes LOFAR so unique is that it has no moving parts. The antennas remain stationary, while a supercomputer combines all the collected signals and converts them into images of the universe. This makes it possible to analyse radio signals from billions of years ago with unprecedented precision. Thanks to cooperation with other European countries, LOFAR is one of the most powerful astronomical instruments in the world.

A visit to the Superterp is a unique experience. Here, amid nature and technology, scientists work daily to unravel the mysteries of the universe. The circular area is filled with sensory panels and gives a futuristic impression. It is freely accessible to walkers and cyclists. Information boards explain how LOFAR works and the discoveries it makes.