Buildings and structures at Jodrell Bank that played a pioneering role in the early days of radio astronomy have been given heritage protection. <\/p>\n
They include the 38-metre (124.6ft) Mark II radio telescope, the smaller of two large steerable dishes on the Cheshire observatory site, which now has Grade I listed status. <\/p>\n
It joins its big brother, the 76.2 metre (250 ft) Lovell telescope - originally known as the Mark I - which was awarded the highest listing grade in 1988. <\/p>\n
The new listings were announced on the 60th anniversary of the Lovell telescopes first light, when the dish collected its first radio signals from the universe. <\/p>\n
Jodrell Bank Observatory dates from the start of radio astronomy soon after the Second World War. <\/p>\n
It was pivotal to developing the new science, which involves capturing light at invisible radio wavelengths to see celestial objects that would otherwise be hidden. <\/p>\n
The site was bought by the University of Manchester in 1939 and first used for radio astronomy in 1945 by Sir Bernard Lovell and his team. A ramshackle collection of ex-army radar equipment was subsequently replaced with permanent buildings, aerials and sophisticated telescopes. <\/p>\n
When construction of the Mark I telescope was completed in 1957 it was the largest steerable dish telescope in the world. <\/p>\n
The Mark II telescope was built in 1962-64 to the specifications of a design developed jointly by Sir Bernard and structural engineer Charles Husband. <\/p>\n
Having two telescopes that could work together tracking the same object in space improved the accuracy of observations. <\/p>\n
Crispin Edwards, listing adviser at Historic England, said: Jodrell Bank is a remarkable place where globally important discoveries were made that transformed radio astronomy and our understanding of the universe. <\/p>\n
We are celebrating the history of the site and its impact on the world by increasing its recognition on the National Heritage List for England. <\/p>\n
Four buildings and part of a converted ex-army radar antenna known as the Searchlight Aerial have all been listed Grade II. <\/p>\n
They include the Park Royal building, the Electrical Workshop, the Link Hut and the Control Building. <\/p>\n
All that remains of the Searchlight Aerial, which was used to track meteors, is the army searchlight mount to which it was attached. <\/p>\n
Professor Teresa Anderson, director of the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, said: Jodrell Bank has welcomed millions of visitors, drawn by its landmark scientific structures. <\/p>\n
Science is a hugely important part of our cultural heritage and we are very pleased to see that recognised and protected with these new designations. <\/p>\n
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Heritage protection honour for Jodrell Bank observatory astronomy site - Yorkshire Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Buildings and structures at Jodrell Bank that played a pioneering role in the early days of radio astronomy have been given heritage protection. Continue reading