Jodrell Bank Visit

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I have been trying to get to Jodrell Bank for years but never managed it, I’ve actually tried a few times and got lost! But on Monday I made it.

Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics is the home of the Lovell Radio Telescope which was built back in 1956 and in 1957 it tracked Sputnik.

Apart from the scientific importance of the telescope it has become a landmark in the area as it can be seen for miles around.

It is an amazing piece of construction, even though it’s huge (there’s no other way to put it) it has a real elegance and I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say I think it looks absolutely beautiful.

We went to the visitor centre which is right next to the telescopes control room, they had loads of information on how it was built and on what it does.

We didn’t get to see it all and I can’t wait to go back again.

They also have a twice monthly podcast by the astronomers talking about what they are doing, you can find them at the Jodcast.net which again is full of information.

It’s amazing the amount of information you can get from these sites and learn about astronomy, and the different projects that the telescope is involved with.

I was really excited to be able to visit it and get so close, for some reason I was surprised by how close visitors can get.

There has been talk recently about maybe closing it.

I truly hope they don’t do this as it’s a fantastic resource at our fingertips, and by that I mean the general public never mind what it means to the scientists.

Go and visit it now while you’ve got the chance.

I know I fell in love with the place, it was definitely worth the wait!

Mandy

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