Jodrell Bank Observatory

Jodrell Bank Observatory is a radio astronomy research facility in Lower Withington, England, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site features several large telescopes, including the Lovell Telescope with its 76-meter dish, along with research buildings and a visitor center with exhibition spaces.

The observatory was founded in 1945 when scientists repurposed surplus military radar equipment to study cosmic rays and meteor showers. Over the following decades, the facility contributed to fundamental discoveries about quasars, pulsars, and the structure of the universe.

The facility maintains an extensive educational program through the Discovery Centre, connecting visitors with astronomical research and space exploration concepts.

The site sits in the rural Cheshire countryside about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Manchester and is accessible by car or public transport. Visitors can walk through the gardens, explore exhibitions, and view the telescopes up close, with the Discovery Centre providing orientation and information.

The observatory serves as the control center for MERLIN, a network of seven radio telescopes spread across England and Wales that work together as a single large instrument. These distributed antennas can collectively capture images of celestial objects with much higher resolution than any single telescope could achieve.

Location: Lower Withington

Official opening: 1945

Elevation above the sea: 77 m

Operator: The University of Manchester

Website: https://jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.23625,-2.30714

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:01