It's more than a decade since I last traipsed round the place, and it is much transformed. Whereas then it was all rather ropey displays explaining what different planets looked like, now you follow a route of board explaining that the radio telescope listens to the stars. There's plenty of what it listens for, what it's discovered and how it teams up with other radio telescopes around the planet to do other cool stuff. Jodrell Bank continues to have particular skillz at spotting pulsars.
The visitor centre is due a big revamp, and comprised a small display, a cafe and shop selling general space tat rather than anything specifically relating to radio telescopy. I'd also have liked something specifically about the site: it's history and achievements.
We also paid for a 3D theatre show (because what other theatre is in 3D?) of two quick shows, one explaining that Space Is Big and the other showing us the landscape of Mars. They were fun and a bargain, and narrated by bolshy Australians which was a bit of a surprise.
Afterwards, we went for lunch at the nice, friendly Egerton Arms, and my roast beef and Yorkshire pudding did an impression of the telescope.
Shame that Yorkshire pudding hasn't got a tiny Tom Baker carved from carrot, hanging off the top of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a brilliant place - the telescope is just so huge.
ReplyDeleteIn fact it's so huge that, although we live 50 miles or so north, almost every morning we can see it as a lump on the horizon.
(We live on the edge of the Pennines so we have the elevation required.)
A carrot Tom Baker! I want this!
ReplyDelete