FIRST LIGHT AT JODRELL BANK PASSING ON THE SPARK OF INSPIRATION
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN
FIRST LIGHT AT JODRELL BANK PASSING ON THE SPARK OF INSPIRATION
Image: The Andromeda Galaxy, courtesy of NASA.
Human beings have always looked up at the Sun, Moon, planets and stars, attempting to explore and understand the unknown. Folklore is full of stories from cultures around the world, explaining the sky above and how we fit into the bigger picture. Over time, a more scientific approach has emerged, leading to the modern, astrophysical understanding of the universe we see today.
For over 50 years the giant Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank has been a familiar feature of the Cheshire landscape and an internationally renowned landmark in the world of astronomy. Since the summer of 1957 it has been exploring the depths of space, a symbol of our wish to understand the universe in which we live. Even now, it remains one of the biggest and most powerful radio telescopes in the world, spending most of its time investigating cosmic phenomena that were undreamed of when it was conceived. But Jodrell Bank doesn’t just owe its uniqueness to world firsts and brilliant discoveries. What makes Jodrell Bank special are the people who walk through its doors every single day, whether that’s our scientists and staff, the families who come to learn more about space exploration, or the thousands of school children looking to spark their imagination. Now, we need to ensure Jodrell Bank has the facilities it needs to carry on this incredible work. Read on to find out more about First Light and the Lovell Telescope, and what you can do to help.
IGNITING THE SPARK Bernard Lovell. Image: Phil Fisk
Jodrell Bank owes its existence to the passion and determination of one man – Sir Bernard Lovell. But it took a very special moment to instil in him the ambition to succeed. As a child, Lovell had little academic ambition, until at the age of 15 he attended a lecture on the electric spark, delivered by AM Tyndall, Professor of Physics at the University of Bristol.
Overwhelmed by the sight of electric arcs that ripped across the room, it was in that very moment that Lovell became a scientist. After developing aircraft radar systems during the Second World War, Lovell returned to his position at The University of Manchester, continuing his work on cosmic rays – high-speed particles from outer space. Background interference from the electric trams on Oxford Road compelled
Mark II Telescope
Lovell to seek a more secluded location for his work, which led him to Jodrell Bank in 1945, an outpost for the University’s Botany department. Here, Lovell built the 218foot Transit Telescope, which made many important discoveries, particular among them being the detection of radio noise from the Great Nebula in Andromeda – the first time that a known extragalactic radio source had been detected.
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These ground-breaking developments in radio astronomy soon led Lovell to build the giant 250-foot radio telescope, which still bears his name. Since 1957, the Lovell Telescope has led the world in exploring the invisible universe using radiowaves. It also holds the peculiar distinction of being both the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world and a Grade 1 listed structure. This revolutionary new telescope helped create an awareness of a wider universe, and played a key role in the discovery and study of quasars, pulsars, gravitational
lenses and many other phenomena. It also tracked the Russian rocket, which put the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik, into orbit in 1957, at the dawn of the Space Age. Today, Jodrell Bank remains one of the most important scientific landmarks in the world and on the UK shortlist for UNESCO World Heritage Site Status. It continues to hold centre stage in radio astronomy and recently won the competition to host the international headquarters of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project;
Bernard Lovell and engineer Charles Husband
a collaborative venture to build the world’s largest and most powerful network of radio telescopes. The telescopes will span southern Africa and Australia and will begin operating in the 2020s.
STARGAZING AND BEYOND A passion for science, sparked in childhood, can be the catalyst that leads to bold new discoveries and a better understanding of the world around us. At the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, we’re keen to inspire the next generation of scientists to push back the boundaries of human knowledge, making discoveries that could unlock huge benefits to society.
We also recognise that not every child feels compelled to pursue a career in science. But we believe that science education helps children to nurture their creativity and develop problemsolving and technical skills that will benefit them in later life. Every year, the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre welcomes 20,000 school children who take part in educational workshops and explore exciting interactive exhibits. Taking science out of the classroom, school visits help to open the eyes and minds of children all over the North West and beyond.
Reaching out to the local community and encouraging social responsibility is at the heart of what we do. And we believe that a child’s financial circumstances should not be a barrier to their chosen career. That’s why we also run widening participation days, offering secondary school students from disadvantaged backgrounds free visits to Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. Above all, we want to pass on the spark of inspiration and encourage children of all ages and circumstances to explore their natural curiosity, wherever that may take them.
Image: The Orion Nebula, courtesy of NASA.
FIRST LIGHT AT JODRELL BANK Jodrell Bank boasts a rich heritage of ground-breaking firsts and bold new discoveries. On the UNESCO World Heritage Site UK shortlist, it is the only location remaining in the world that showcases the entire history of radio astronomy – the first step towards the field of modern astrophysics that we know today. Its story includes revolutionary scientific discoveries, amazing feats of post-war engineering, the dawn of the Space Age and the creation of the Grade-1 listed Lovell Telescope, an icon of UK science and engineering.
The University recently announced a major project to conserve and restore the Lovell Telescope and to create a spectacular new space to celebrate the extraordinary journey of exploring our place in the universe.
In May 2015 the University was successful in securing a pledge of £12 million for the First Light Pavilion from the Heritage Lottery Fund, but we still need to raise £5.5 million in order to make this vision a reality.
This state-of-the-art building, known as the First Light Pavilion, will bring together expansive exhibitions, educational facilities, a 250-seat auditorium, innovative projection space and café, creating a unique and inspiring experience for young and old to explore their curiosity.
Jodrell Bank is at a turning point, and we need your help to pass on the spark of inspiration to the next generation, paving the way for tomorrow’s discoveries.
A STATE OF THE ART SPACE The First Light Pavilion will provide a space to celebrate and explore the creativity of science and to understand the determination of the human mind to explore and transcend established frontiers.
SCIENCE FOR ALL At Jodrell Bank, we believe that science should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. That’s why we welcome over 20,000 school children through our doors every year, as well as hosting specific days to ensure students from disadvantaged backgrounds can enjoy the excitement and curiosity that science has to offer.
But Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is bursting at the seams, unable to keep up with demand. And with requests to visit higher than ever, many budding scientists could be missing out. The First Light Project will enable us to open our doors to thousands more young people, providing new opportunities to learn vital skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and perseverance. These abilities, imperative for a career in science, are also important life skills, helping to build well-rounded individuals who are resilient, hard-working and inquisitive.
The First Light Pavilion will be a world-class space in which workshops and outreach classes can inspire the next generation of young scientists, sparking their imagination in a way that could change the course of their entire future.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP Today’s mysteries are tomorrow’s discoveries. Yet unless we inspire the next generation of brilliant young minds, instilling in them the passion and drive to fulfil their potential, those discoveries could be squandered.
We believe that anyone who walks through our doors could hold the key to unlock the unknown, whether that’s demystifying the depths of space, tackling global climate change or even finding a cure for cancer. By sparking their inspiration and capturing their imagination, we have the potential to make a significant difference for generations to come.
science, curiosity, creativity and heritage converge, with the potential to reap unprecedented benefits for humankind.
First Light at Jodrell Bank offers a tangible way for you to help us achieve that vision, providing a spectacular space in which
With your support, who knows where our inspiration could take us?
Whether you donate towards First Light, help to restore the spectacular Lovell Telescope or support our world-class research, you will be playing a vital role in preserving Jodrell Bank’s legacy.
CONTACT US TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE Dominic Boyd Head of Philanthropy Telephone: 0161 275 8577 Email: dominic.boyd@manchester.ac.uk Division of Development and Alumni Relations The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom www.manchester.ac.uk/support Royal Charter number: RC000797 Charitable tax exemption number: XR82062 DW3057.11.15