Northeast Radio Observatory Corporation (NEROC)

Boston College

Boston University

Dartmouth College

Harvard University

Center for Astrophysics—
Harvard & Smithsonian

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Merrimack College

New Jersey Institute of Technology

University of Massachusetts–Amherst

University of Massachusetts–Lowell

University of New Hampshire

Mission

NEROC’s mission is to further research, education, and scientific collaboration in the field of radio science. Opportunities for collaboration are broader and more diverse than ever before. As part of the newly launched transformation of NEROC into its modern form, a NEROC annual symposium series was launched with the goal of identifying common interests, complementary capabilities, and specific collaboration opportunities. The 2017 second annual symposium held at Haystack drew many participants from across the Northeast presenting on a wide range of topics.

History

NEROC was formed in 1967 to plan an advanced radio and radar research facility in the Northeast. In 1969, by agreement with MIT, NEROC’s interest extended to the existing Haystack 37-meter radio telescope, built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to seek means for increasing its availability for astronomical research. In 1970, NEROC began to operate the Haystack Observatory. With the evolution of the 37m telescope away from a user facility in the mid-1990s, NEROC interest focused more on very long baseline interferometry, development of radio arrays, and educational activities.

Today

NEROC is now a vibrant, newly invigorated interdisciplinary group at the forefront of radio science research institutions, with the common goal of fostering and promoting radio science research across the Northeast United States. Starting in 2016, the annual symposium has drawn a diverse, enthusiastic group of participants from across the NEROC community.

Collaboration

Scientists and engineers from NEROC institutions participate in numerous successful research partnerships, and have done so since the founding of the organization. Recent collaborations include cross-institutional work on lightning research and the use of portable RAPID arrays for high-quality imaging of atmospheric phenomena. Opportunities for cooperative ventures continue to increase as NEROC grows.