Space & Astronomy
Sir Bernard Lovell dies aged 98
By
T.K. RandallAugust 10, 2012 ·
11 comments
Image Credit: Mike Peel
The pioneering physicist and astronomer was regarded as one of the great visionary leaders of science.
Lovell's best known work was on the construction of the famous Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope in 1957, at the time the only telescope able to track objects in space. Within days of its completion it was used to track the rocket that carried Russia's Sputnik I satellite in to orbit. Even today the telescope remains in operation and has played an important role in everything from the study of pulsars to testing Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
"He had the boldness and self-confidence to conceive a giant radio telescope, and the persistence to see it through to completion, despite the risk of bankruptcy," said Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees. "What is even more remarkable is that, more than 50 years later, this instrument (after several upgrades) is still doing 'frontier' science."[!gad]Lovell's best known work was on the construction of the famous Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope in 1957, at the time the only telescope able to track objects in space. Within days of its completion it was used to track the rocket that carried Russia's Sputnik I satellite in to orbit. Even today the telescope remains in operation and has played an important role in everything from the study of pulsars to testing Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
"He had the boldness and self-confidence to conceive a giant radio telescope, and the persistence to see it through to completion, despite the risk of bankruptcy," said Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees. "What is even more remarkable is that, more than 50 years later, this instrument (after several upgrades) is still doing 'frontier' science."
Pioneering astronomer and physicist Sir Bernard Lovell has died aged 98. Sir Bernard, who was born near Bristol and studied in the city, was the founder of University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory.
Source:
BBC News |
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