Celebrating the history of radio astronomy at the UK’s Jodrell Bank

BY DR HILARY KAY (THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER - UK SKA)

The Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement (previously known as Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre), part of The University of Manchester, UK, has marked a new chapter in its mission to engage and inspire future generations, with the opening of its highly anticipated First Light Pavilion.

First Light opened its doors on 4 June 2022, welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond to the site which not only played an important role in the birth of radio astronomy, but which will continue to do so for generations to come as the home of both the Jodrell Bank Observatory and SKAO Global Headquarters.

An architecturally stunning building designed by international firm Hassell, First Light is a grass-topped 76m-diameter dome which mirrors the shape and scale of Jodrell Bank’s landmark Lovell Telescope, part of the SKA pathfinder e-MERLIN telescope array.

The story of Jodrell Bank is brought to life with innovative digital displays, projections, and archive material, in an exhibition created by leading designers Casson Mann which uses the actual panels from the original surface of the Lovell Telescope. With a state-of-the-art auditorium and curved projection screen, visitors are immersed in the awe-inspiring heritage of Jodrell Bank and the cutting-edge science being done at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics.

First Light at Jodrell Bank is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Government (DCMS), The University of Manchester and a number of kind donors, including the Wolfson, Garfield Weston, Denise Coates, and Stavros Niarchos foundations.

The First Light Pavilion from the outside.

Credit: Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement

The First Light Pavilion's indoor projection room.

Credit: Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement