Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics

Jodrell Bank dragon hunt will be Christmas cracker

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:30:00 +0000

It's proved Einstein's theory of relativity, tracked the launch of Sputnik and probed the origins of the Universe - now the iconic Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank is being used to find dragons.

The famous dish part of the University of Manchesters Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics takes centre stage in a new hour-long childrens drama, Ingenious, which will be shown on Christmas Day on BBC One at 9.15am.

Chromoscope

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Astronomers from The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics and Cardiff University today revealed a new way for members of the public to explore the galaxy.

Newly discovered star one of hottest in Galaxy

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Astronomers at The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics have discovered one of the hottest stars in the Galaxy - with a surface temperature of around 200,000 degrees, it is 35 times hotter than the Sun.

First fringes with ALMA

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 +0000

A team of astronomers and engineers at the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) have made the first observations linking radio signals from two telescopes in the array at the observatorys "high site", which is at an altitude of 5000 metres in the Andes Mountains of Chile.

Ticking Stellar Time Bomb Identified

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Using ESO's Very Large Telescope and its ability to obtain images as sharp as if taken from space, astronomers have made the first time-lapse movie of an unusual shell of matter ejected by a "vampire star."

Moonwatching in Manchester

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Astronomers from Jodrell Bank headed out onto the streets of Manchester this week to show passers-by close-up views of the Moon and the planet Jupiter.

ESA's 'time machine' takes first glimpse into the past

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Planck, ESA's mission to study the early Universe, has successfully completed its initial test survey of the sky. This has confirmed that both the sophisticated cooling system and the scientific instruments, some of which Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics played a key role in building, are working well.

Apollo 11 Astronaut Pays Tribute to Jodrell Bank

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:20:00 +0100

Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men to walk on the Moon paid tribute to Jodrell Bank astronomers today (Sunday 19 July 2009), at a special Moonbounce event at the Observatory to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landings.

Jodrell Astrophysicist receives award for testing Einstein

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:50:00 +0100

Michael Kramer, Director of MPIfR in Bonn and Professor of Astrophysics at Jodrell Bank, has this week received the prestigious Marcel Grossman Award for his work using pulsars to test Einstein's theory of gravity.

Recording of Russia's lunar gatecrash attempt released

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Dramatic and previously unheard recordings of the moment Russians tried to gatecrash the American's Moon landing in 1969 have today been released by The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics.

Lovell helps scientists solve gamma-ray mystery

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Many of the fastest-spinning pulsars have been detected in gamma-rays for the first time by the Fermi satellite. These detections were made possible by observations using the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank.

Chris Barrie The Lovell Telescope: One of Britain's Greatest Machines

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:56:00 +0100

In a new series for the National Geographic Channel, Chris Barrie visits Jodrell Bank to celebrate the Lovell Telescope as one of Britain's Greatest Machines.

Planck Jodrell Bank stars in European space mission

Tue, 12 May 2009 09:30:00 +0100

Cutting-edge engineering by staff at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics will play a crucial role in the Planck spacecraft, a European space mission - due to blast off on Thursday 14 May - to study the fading glow of the Big Bang.

UK 'superscope' gets first signals from space

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:30:00 +0100

e-MERLIN, a super-powerful new radio telescope network - which will allow astronomers to carry out three years worth of observations in a single day - has received its first signals from space at the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory.

Statement on the Cancellation of the CLOVER Project

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0100

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) recently announced that it is cancelling CLOVER, a microwave background polarisation experiment.

Heavyweight Galaxies Puzzle Astronomers

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Astronomers have discovered large galaxies some two thirds of the way back in time to the big bang. This surprising find casts doubt on theories of how the biggest galaxies form.

Jodrell Bank to help star gazers travel 'Around the World in 80 Telescopes'

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:30:00 +0100

'Around the World in 80 Telescopes' is a 24-hour live video web-cast that will enable star-gazers to see what is happening at observatories around the world.

10 Million Euro Boost for Radio Astronomy in Europe

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Scientists from Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics and their partners are to benefit from a Euro 10million grant, designed to support radio astronomy across Europe.

Astronomers find dust around a primitive star, shedding new light on universe's origins

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000

An international team of astronomers has observed dust forming around a dying star in a nearby galaxy, giving them a glimpse into the early universe and enlivening a debate about the origins of all cosmic dust.

Telescope the size of the Earth

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Seventeen radio telescopes around the world join forces to carry out a unique 33-hour real-time observation to celebrate the launch of the International Year of Astronomy.

Honorary degree for Sir Bernard Lovell

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Four scientific pioneers were honoured by The University of Manchester, including Jodrell Bank's founder, Professor Sir Bernard Lovell, who received a 'Doctor of Science honoris causa'.

Astronomy proves big hit for Labour Party

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:00:00 +0100

Astronomers from Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics visited the Labour Party Conference in Manchester to promote the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

STFC advanced and postdoctoral fellowships

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:49:00 +0100

The School of Physics and Astronomy invites applications from candidates wishing to be considered for an STFC Advanced or Postdoctoral Fellowship to be based in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester.

STFC expects to award a number of 3 and 5-years fellowships, to be held at UK institutions. The 3-year positions are at postdoctoral level; the 5-year fellowships are expected to lead to a permanent position.

Candidates can only apply on behalf of one UK institution, and need to first apply to the proposed host to obtain support, before applying to STFC. Each prospective host may only support a limited a number of applicants.

Future of Jodrell Bank Secured

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:00:00 +0100

The University of Manchester has reached an agreement with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) that should secure the medium and long term future of the famous Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire.