From April 18 to 22, UMAN Training Week course “Radio Astronomy and Radio Interferometry” took place at Ventspils University College, which was implemented within the framework of the “Building on Advanced Lofar Technology for Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability” (BALTICS) project.

The training was led by Peter Wilkinson and Neal Jackson – professors from the University of Manchester. The training was attended by 18 employees of the Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center” of Ventspils University College (VIRAC) and students from Ventspils University College (VUC).

Representatives of the Ventspils University College acquired new knowledge and supplemented the existing knowledge on the phenomena of radio astronomy sources, radiation mechanics, antenna theory, radio astronomy receiver systems and radio interferometry, and gained various practical experiences.

Visiting Professors were provided with a tour to Irbene, where they were introduced to the radio astronomy antenna complex. Guests were pleasantly surprised by the possibilities offered by the renovated antennas.

The next training cycle organized as part of the project will be held at the Dutch Radio Astronomy Institute ASTRON from May 30 to June 3 . Six employees from VIRAC will take part in this training cycle.