Jodrell Bank
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Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope Observatory was the vision of Professer Sir Bernard Lovell. In 1945 he discovered cosmic rays whilst using military radar equipment.
After the war he continued his experiments and set up research at Jodrell Bank. Where the MK1 telescope as it was known then was concieved. With the help of Charles Husband, and engineer from Sheffield. They designed the 250ft radio telescope and by the summer of 1957 the 3200 ton MK 1 was fully operational.
It was also the only instrument in the west that was capable of tracking the first satellite in space, Russia`s Sputnik 1.
The gear racks that rotate the dish where from the 18-inch gun turret racks from the battleships HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Revenge.
Over the years the telescope has been upgraded and resurfaced to continue to keep it at the for front of technology. To this day Jodrell Bank is still one of the biggest radio telescopes in the world and still leads the way in exploring the stars.
In 1987 the telescope was renamed in honor of its creator and given the new name of the Lovell telescope. Jodrell has dominated the Cheshire plains for over 50 years and is and international landmark in the world of astronomy.
Exploring Jodrell Bank was going to be a one off experience! The mood was one of shear horor and excitement!
Our main concern above anything else was the consequences if we ruined the research of the observatory, whilst attempting our climb. Which I would like to make quite clear it didnt in any way!
Our ascent went according to plan and was executed with military precision. Within minutes we were scaling the maze like steel frame work towards our goal. The centre of the dish! Sadly access was impossible and we had to settle for the labs above the legs of the telescope instead.
Exploring one of the worlds biggest radio telescopes is something that the average person will never experience in their lifetime. But for us it was something that had to be done.
The explore was faultless in every way. From the ascent to the top. To the descent back down. Our main concern was spending too much time on top but we must of been up there a good half an hour with out realising.
Seeing Jodrell from a distance is amazing but seeing it from the inside is truly astounding. Negotiating a moving 3200 ton, 250ft high steel structure, with a dish which spans 76.2 metres in diameter is literally out of this world.
