Jodrell Bank Observatory, part of the University, is celebrating the opening of a new attraction, the First Light Pavilion.
This feat of architectural engineering reveals the fascinating history behind one of the world’s leading radio astronomy observatories and the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is at the heart of a £21.5 million project, supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the National Lottery Heritage Fund and generous gifts from the University’s alumni and supporters.
Designed by award-winning architects HASSELL Studio, the grass-topped 76 metre-diameter dome mirrors the shape of the Lovell Telescope with its perfectly curved edges. Inside the unique building, visitors can enjoy a new exhibition, bringing to life the Jodrell Bank story from its beginnings in 1945, to its exploration of the universe using radio waves instead of visible light. The Pavilion also contains a custom-built auditorium where visitors can enjoy planetarium-style shows on a curved projection screen.
Discover more about the First Light Pavilion and Jodrell Bank.
