Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics

The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, is among the largest astrophysics groups in the UK. It includes the Jodrell Bank Observatory, the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, and the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre. The centre was formed after the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST which brought two astronomy groups together. The Jodrell Bank site also hosts the headquarters of the SKA Observatory (SKAO) - the International Governmental Organisation (IGO) tasked with the delivery and operation of the Square Kilometre Array, created on the signing of the Rome Convention in 2019. The SKA will be the largest telescope in the world - construction is expected to start at the end of this decade.The JBCA is part of the School of Physics and Astronomy. The current director is Professor Michael Garrett.The Jodrell Bank Observatory, located near Goostrey and Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, has played an important role in the research of meteors, quasars, pulsars, masers and gravitational lenses, and was heavily involved with the tracking of space probes at the start of the Space Age.The main telescope at the observatory is the Lovell Telescope, which is the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world. There are three other active telescopes located at the observatory; the Mark II, as well as 42 ft and 7m-diameter radio telescopes. Jodrell Bank Observatory is also the base of the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN), a National Facility run by the University of Manchester on behalf of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Was the first time I took my son and step children to visit since he was in a pram. I must say we all really enjoyed this visit and the new visitor centre is a real asset.We all came away having learnt something new from primary level to more in depth scientific knowledge.The grounds are also beautiful this time of year with the leaves turning and all the different mushrooms growing in the grounds.I would highly recommend a visit and I'm looking forward to going back within the next 12 months which my tickets already cover.If I had to make one criticism it would be that the prices in the cafe are quite high although the food was nice. If you are struggling with the cost of living I would suggest bringing a packed lunch.

Informative and educational. Worth a visit for those like me who know nothing about space and physics to the more we'll informed. Nice gardens to walk around too. Cafe and covered huts to eat packed lunch if you take your own food. Free parking, well stocked gift shop but it's a little pricey.