The scientific potential of LOFAR for time domain astronomy

Abstract

LOFAR is a ground-breaking low-frequency radio telescope that is currently nearing completion across northern Europe. As a software telescope with no moving parts, enormous fields of view and multi-beaming, it has fantastic potential for the exploration of the time-variable universe. In this brief paper I outline LOFAR's capabilities, our plans to use it for a range of transient searches, and some crude estimated rates of transient detections. © 2012 International Astronomical Union.