<p>LOFAR does not go 'through the ionosphere' as it's ground based. Rather, it is able to receive signals from outside the ionosphere due to the very low frequencies involved. These frequencies (naturally) have very long wavelengths, which means that LOFAR must be very large to obtain a decent level of resolution. The number of antennae will affect sensitivity and reliability.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-04T14:22:33.267Z
2014-09-04T14:22:33.267Z
Guy Stimpson
<p>The LOFAR project open a new window in the universe's study because it allows to receive low frequences of the universe that we could not get because of the ionosphere. 
But I'm wondering how can LOFAR pass through the ionosphere? Is it because of the large fields of antennas? Or it is something else?
Thanks for any answers which can clear my mind.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-02T19:17:36.743Z
LOFAR corrects for the ionosphere in its calibration procedure. If you're looking for a technical discussion take a look at LOFAR's calibration methods: [here](http://adsabs.harvard.edu//abs/2007ASPC..376..237N) and [here](http://ens.ewi.tudelft.nl/pubs/jeffs06tsp.pdf)
Michael B.
<radio-astronomy>
How LOFAR pass through the ionosphere?
Ryokel
# How LOFAR pass through the ionosphere?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-09-02)

The LOFAR project open a new window in the universe's study because it allows to receive low frequences of the universe that we could not get because of the ionosphere.
But I'm wondering how can LOFAR pass through the ionosphere? Is it because of the large fields of antennas? Or it is something else?
Thanks for any answers which can clear my mind.

**Tags:** radio-astronomy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: LOFAR corrects for the ionosphere in its calibration procedure. If you're looking for a technical discussion take a look at LOFAR's calibration methods: [here](http://adsabs.harvard.edu//abs/2007ASPC..376..237N) and [here](http://ens.ewi.tudelft.nl/pubs/jeffs06tsp.pdf)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-09-04. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

LOFAR does not go 'through the ionosphere' as it's ground based. Rather, it is able to receive signals from outside the ionosphere due to the very low frequencies involved. These frequencies (naturally) have very long wavelengths, which means that LOFAR must be very large to obtain a decent level of resolution. The number of antennae will affect sensitivity and reliability.


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