Sir Bernard Lovell has died

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • amateur51
    • Jan 2025

    Sir Bernard Lovell has died

    Sir Bernard Lovell, the founder of Jodrell Bank, has died.

    Sir Bernard Lovell pioneered radio astronomy in the UK and was director of Jodrell Bank, the site of the country's largest radio telescope, for 30 years.


    "Sir Bernard Lovell developed the science of radio-astronomy in the UK and was director of Jodrell Bank, the site of the country's largest radio telescope, for 30 years.

    When he was developing his idea for a radio telescope in the 1950s, he faced much hostility over the cost of the project.

    But this criticism turned to wonder and acclaim when, in October 1957, the telescope showed that it could accurately track the first Soviet sputnik spacecraft."

    My school visited Jodrell Bank in the 1960s and I remember the (to me) huge telescopes mounted on railway tracks.

    I wonder if he knew that Curiosity had landed on Mars?

    A great scientist

  • John Wright
    Full Member
    • Mar 2007
    • 705

    #2
    Yes, as a school child I recall being told about Sir Bernard Lovell and Jodrell Bank, but those names have rarely crossed my mind since.

    Sadly, with his passing, I am only now going to appreciate his contributions to science.
    - - -

    John W

    Comment

    • Frances_iom
      Full Member
      • Mar 2007
      • 2418

      #3
      Judging from the stories about his driving in his Jag around the Cheshire back lanes around Jodrell Bank I'm surprised he survived to 98! - however his determination to get the telescope built was tremendous and the research station he founded plays a key role - the Sputnik came just at the right time to sort out proper funding though there was more military use of the telescope than has been hinted in the news - often used in moon-bounce to give over the horizon glimpses of radar and other systems. Getting up to prime focus (pre rebuild) which was a largish box accessed by a trapdoor when the dish was pointing at zenith would probably be banned today under H + E - attempting to walk up the parabola was an excellent lesson in applied conics!
      Last edited by Frances_iom; 07-08-12, 21:28.

      Comment

      • Nick Armstrong
        Host
        • Nov 2010
        • 26575

        #4
        A giant and a gent.
        "...the isle is full of noises,
        Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
        Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
        Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

        Comment

        • mercia
          Full Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 8920

          #5
          and with his death we will apparently find out how the Russians tried to bump him off for tracking Sputnik

          Comment

          Working...
          X