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HRH The Prince of Wales to visit Jodrell Bank Observatory

April 25, 2003

HRH The Prince of Wales will visit The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire on Monday, 28 April 2003, to commemorate the re-birth of its flagship Lovell Telescope following a major upgrade.

The £2.5 million three-year upgrade saw the replacement of the 76-metre radio telescope's reflecting surface, which is now in pristine condition, and the installation of a new high-precision drive system. Together this allows it to operate over a four times greater range of frequencies so allowing exciting new science to be carried out at the forefront of astronomical research.

The restored Lovell Telescope, which has become a landmark on the Cheshire Plain since it was completed in 1957 by Sir Bernard Lovell, will continue its world-class research studying the formation of stars and discovering new pulsars in our own galaxy, the Milky Way, and seek out faint radio galaxies and quasars in the distant universe.

Sir Bernard, who will meet His Royal Highness during his visit, commented:"When built, the Telescope had only been expected to have an operational life of some 10 years. I am delighted that 45 years later, not only is it still in daily use, but is capable of a far wider range of observations. It is a truly magnificent achievement."

In addition to its use as single instrument, the Telescope is a key element of the UK's MERLIN high resolution radio-imaging array, based at Jodrell Bank, which routinely produces images of comparable quality than those of the Hubble Space Telescope. It is also regularly linked to telescopes across Europe and around the globe to make observations which have the highest resolution in astronomy.

The MERLIN and VLBI National Facility is operated by The University of Manchester on behalf of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), who fund much of the research undertaken by the Telescope and who have played a key role in the implementation of the upgrade.

Professor Ian Halliday, Chief Executive of PPARC said:"UK astronomy has gone from strength to strength. It is remarkable that the same national facility that enabled UK astronomers to make many important discoveries in the past will remain at the forefront of international astronomical research in the future. Long may this continue."

During his visit, HRH will also meet teachers and students of the Catholic High School in Chester. The Observatory has links with the school and has helped in their successful bid to become a specialist Science College.

Ends

Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)