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Giant Telescope Peers From Cheshire Fields
28 Jul
Summary
- The observatory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It features the enormous 250 ft wide Lovell Telescope.
- The site was chosen for its radio quiet environment.
The Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated in the quiet countryside of rural Cheshire, spanning less than a square mile.
Dominating the landscape is the immense Lovell Telescope, a striking 250 ft wide structure visible from up to 20 miles away in Manchester. The observatory grounds also host essential control rooms, the Mark II Radio Telescope, and a dedicated visitor centre.
Astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell selected this specific area for its exceptionally quiet radio environment, crucial for minimizing interference. He began relocating equipment to these open fields in 1945, establishing it as a significant research station for the University of Manchester.
