Jodrell Bank's Lovell Telescope: 50 years old

[Weather-history]

The famous Lovell telescope celebrates its 50th birthday this year.

At the time of its construction, it was the world's largest steerable dish radio telescope in the world. The dish is 250ft across.

After World War II, Bernard Lovell used the site to study cosmic rays and the University of Manchester agreed to provide him with a permanent site to continue his studies. The site belonged to the University of Manchester's botany department at the time.

It was then, the plans to build a large steerable radio telescope began and it was completed just in time for the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 in which it tracked it. This made the radio telescope, internationally renowned and secured its future.

I've been to the site, a number of times and its a good day out. There is also a botantical gardens there.

Sir Bernard Lovell must be a very proud man to see his conception celebrate its 50th year.