Jodrell Bank Radio Telescopes

Location and History

• Jodrell Bank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Cheshire, England, UK
• Founded in 1945 as a radio astronomy observatory
• Established by Bernard Lovell, a British physicist and radio astronomer

Radio Telescopes

• Jodrell Bank is home to several radio telescopes, including:
  • Lovell Radio Telescope (Mark I): 76.2m in diameter, built in 1957
  • Mark II: 38.1m in diameter, built in 1964
  • Mark III: 50m in diameter, built in 1966
  • Mark IV: 7.32m in diameter, built in 1979
• These telescopes have been used for various astronomical research, including:
  • Study of quasars, pulsars, and black holes
  • Detection of gravitational waves
  • Monitoring of near-Earth asteroids

Discoveries and Contributions

• Jodrell Bank has made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe, including:
  • Detection of the first quasar (1963)
  • Discovery of the first pulsar (1967)
  • Tracking of the Soviet space probe Luna 9 (1966)
  • Monitoring of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft

Current Status and Activities

• Jodrell Bank is still an active research facility, operated by the University of Manchester
• It is part of the UK's e-MERLIN (e-Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network) project
• The site also hosts the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, a museum and educational facility
• Jodrell Bank continues to conduct research in radio astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology

Location and History

• Jodrell Bank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Cheshire, England, UK, founded in 1945 as a radio astronomy observatory by Bernard Lovell, a British physicist and radio astronomer.

Radio Telescopes

• Jodrell Bank is home to multiple radio telescopes, including Lovell Radio Telescope (Mark I), built in 1957, with a diameter of 76.2m.
• Mark II, built in 1964, has a diameter of 38.1m.
• Mark III, built in 1966, has a diameter of 50m.
• Mark IV, built in 1979, has a diameter of 7.32m.
• These telescopes have been used for astronomical research, including studying quasars, pulsars, and black holes, detecting gravitational waves, and monitoring near-Earth asteroids.

Discoveries and Contributions

• Jodrell Bank detected the first quasar in 1963.
• In 1967, Jodrell Bank discovered the first pulsar.
• In 1966, Jodrell Bank tracked the Soviet space probe Luna 9.
• Jodrell Bank monitored the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.

Current Status and Activities

• Jodrell Bank is still an active research facility, operated by the University of Manchester.
• It is part of the UK's e-MERLIN (e-Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network) project.
• The site hosts the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, a museum and educational facility.
• Jodrell Bank continues to conduct research in radio astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology.

Location and History

• Jodrell Bank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Cheshire, England, UK, founded in 1945 by Sir Bernard Lovell, a British physicist and radio astronomer
• Originally a research station in the University of Manchester, it is now part of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics

Radio Telescopes

• The Lovell Telescope is 76.2 meters in diameter, built in 1957, and was initially used for tracking Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite
• The Lovell Telescope was upgraded in 1987 and 2002
• The Mark II Telescope is 38.1 meters in diameter, built in 1964, and is used for astronomical research and student training

Research and Discoveries

• Jodrell Bank contributed to the discovery of quasars in 1963
• Jodrell Bank detected the first pulsar in 1967
• Jodrell Bank observed the cosmic microwave background radiation in 1965
• Jodrell Bank has studied black holes and the expansion of the universe

Other Activities

• Jodrell Bank has a visitor centre and exhibits, making it a popular tourist destination
• Jodrell Bank hosts stargazing nights and astronomy festivals
• Jodrell Bank provides educational resources and programs for students and teachers

Learn about Jodrell Bank, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in England, and its history and radio telescopes, including the Lovell Radio Telescope and more.