Jodrell Bank Observatory in England has been named as the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Famous as the home of the Lovell Telescope—the world’s third-largest steerable radio scope—the station was established in 1945 by astronomer and namesake Bernard Lovell.
In the seven decades since, the University of Manchester-owned observatory has played an important role in the research of meteors, quasars, pulsars, masers, and gravitational lenses.
It was also heavily involved with the tracking of space probes at the start of the Space Age.
The Lovell Telescope became operational in mid-1957—just in time for the launch of the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1 artificial satellite. And good thing, too, as it was the only instrument able to track Sputnik’s booster rocket by radar.
“Jodrell Bank is more than just a relic from the post-war flourishing of research technology,” according to UK ambassador to UNESCO Matthew Lodge. “It is also a beacon and center of excellence for world-leading research and education, reminding us that there is far more to the Universe than meets the eye.
“[Its] rich scientific heritage bears testimony to the UK’s leading role in science research worldwide,” he said in a statement.
There are three other active telescopes on site, including the Mark II, completed in 1964. Jodrell Bank Observatory is also the base of the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) facility.
Today, the grounds serve as global headquarters of the Square Kilometer Array, a radio telescope project that aims to build the world’s largest telescope—comprised of a network of instruments in South Africa and Australia.
“I am delighted that Jodrell Bank has become the UK’s 32nd UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the country’s Heritage Minister Rebecca Pow said in a statement. “The research completed here has transformed our understanding of the Universe and it is right that this is recognized.”
The 74-year-old station joins the likes of Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, the mounded tombs of ancient Japan, India’s fortified city of Jaipur, and the Mesopotamian city of Babylon as newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Jodrell Bank Observatory—judged important to the collective interests of humanity—is now legally protected by international treaties.
“This is fitting recognition of the history of science and discovery at Jodrell Bank, and the world that continues today,” Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester, added.
“Indeed, the site is fantastic for the University because of its heritage, its teaching, and its research,” she continued. “And also because it is a place where many members of the public come to learn and be inspired about science.”
The World Heritage Committee has been meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, to decide which sites deserve special status and protection. The 43rd session continues until July 10.
The 20th century architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright—a total of eight buildings—is the United States’ only addition (so far) this year.
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