LOFAR-UK is pleased to announce the opportunity for scientists to carry out shared-risk observations using the Rawlings Array (the UK LOFAR station at Chilbolton) as a stand-alone facility. (Observations taken as part of the International LOFAR Telescope array are co-ordinated through the ILT.) The Rawlings Array operates in the low radio frequency regime, from ~20-80 MHz and 110-240 MHz. The important station parameters (bandwidth, theoretical sensitivity, allowed frequency settings, primary beam, etc) are fully detailed in this document. Equiped with the ARTEMIS back-end, the Rawlings Array offers unique capabilities for tied-array monitoring, ionospheric riometry, solar spectrography, large-area imaging, and other scientific projects. An Observer's Manual and further information can be found on the Observers pages.

LOFAR-UK generally has a minimum of 200 hours of observing time available for stand-alone use of the Rawlings Array during each 6-month ILT cycle. Use of this time is open to any interested observer. However, LOFAR-UK can only provide limited observing support and training (with preference, where resources are limited, to supporting observers working at LOFAR-UK institutes). Some degree of experience with the system, or collaboration with experienced observers, is recommended. All observations will be carried out in shared-risk mode.

Proposals for use of the facility can be submitted at any time. They will be reviewed and, if approved, will become active in the system for scheduling. Previously approved and currently active proposals are listed here.

Proposals may be of up to three A4 pages in length, at a minimum of 11pt font. These three pages should include:

• a clear and self-contained scientific justification for the observations, and the expected scientific outcomes.
• technical information relating to the observations and required observing time.
• the rationale for the use of single-station time, rather than full ILT observations.
• one paragraph of text describing the proposed goals, written at a level understandable to an interested member of the general public.
• any figures and references
• where relevant, a report on any previous use of stand-alone Rawlings Array time
• for first-time applicants, an indication of their experience with LOFAR observations.

Proposals should be in pdf format, with a maximum file size of 5MB. They should be submitted by email to: lofar-proposals~a.t~stfc.ac.uk For further information, see the LOFAR-UK webpages, or email lofar-proposals~a.t~stfc.ac.uk .