Somewhere out in the green rolling hills of the Cheshire countryside is an out-of-this-world adventure that goes by the odd name of Jodrell Bank Observatory.
Jodrell Bank is home to the third-largest steerable radio telescope in the world. It’s not only a vital working centre for astronomical research but is also a pretty cool place for the public to visit.
Whether you’re a NASA nerd or not, the observatory is a fantastic opportunity to increase your space knowledge. The Discovery Centre provides a multitude of fun experiences, including starting your very own meteor shower, walking on the moon, building your own telescope and commanding the movement of the solar system with your own bare hands.
However, the centrepiece of Jodrell Bank is, of course, the iconic Lovell Telescope. Towering over the landscape, this impressive structure is truly awe-inspiring.
When opened, it was the biggest and most powerful telescope to have existed. Now it remains the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world. If it helps you picture it, its 76.2m diameter dish is as long as the Statue of Liberty’s arm from tip of flame to elbow. It’s a Grade 1 listed structure and a UNESCO World Heritage site too.
The dish can be tilted at any angle from the horizon to the zenith meaning it can be directed to any point in the sky, and it was moving regularly while we strolled around. It’s a pretty important piece of machinery in the world of space exploration and astrophysics discovery. It helped to discover quasars (super-massive black holes surrounded by an orbiting disc of gas) and had we needed it, would have helped provide a few minutes of warning in the launch of any nuclear missile during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Possibly most important for Dr Who fans, it was the place of the last regular outing of the scarf-sporting Doctor, Tom Baker, as he regenerates after falling from the structure.
The site is surrounded by parkland, perfect for outdoor exploration, or as was more our case, dodging torrential downpours. Part of the gardens feature a fascinating hands-on explanation of how a parabolic dish works, showing the effects of travelling soundwaves by one person whispering into one dish and another receiving it like the speaker was right beside them. In reality, they’re actually 50 metres away across a field.
We found Jodrell Bank Observatory was a fantastic way to inspire curiosity about our small space in the universe and encourage an interest in science. Although it might not be a number one destination for an international traveller on their first trip to the UK, with its interactive exhibits, iconic telescope, and beautiful outdoor space, it’s a worthy day trip from Liverpool if you’re making your way up north.
Knights' Adventures 