Sir Bernard Lovell
August 17th, 2012
Sir Bernard Lovell OBE FRS, Emeritus Professor of Radioastronomy, the founder and first Director of The University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory, died August 6, 2012 at the age of 98. Born in Gloucestershire, U.K., Sir Bernard studied at the University of Bristol before coming to Manchester to work in the Department of Physics in 1936. During the Second World War, Sir Bernard led the team that developed H2S radar, work for which he was later knighted.
Sir Bernard returned to the Manchester Physics Department in 1945 and began work on cosmic rays using ex-military radar equipment. He brought this equipment to a University botany site at Jodrell Bank in late 1945, founding the world-famous Observatory which now exists here.
Jodrell Bank is dominated by the 76-metre Lovell Telescope, conceived by Sir Bernard. He worked with engineer Sir Charles Husband to build the telescope which has become an icon of British science and engineering and remains today the world's third largest steerable telescope. Sir Bernard’s legacy is immense, extending from his wartime work to his pioneering contributions to radio astronomy and including his dedication to education and public engagement with scientific research.
The international headquarters of the Square Kilometer Array, which will be when finished the world's largest telescope, will move to Jodrell Bank later this year. Cornell radio astronomers are involved in the development of this facility.
The Cornell Department of Astronomy and Center for Radiophysics and Space Research salute the enormous achievements of Sir Bernard and extends condolences to his family.
Image credit: University of Manchester, U.K.
