Jodrell Bank

Incredible!! 🔭✨

He does - a real modern-day Narcissus! 🔭

We certainly do! There's no shortage of birds to spot in the area🔭🐦

Whilst he hasn't passed the audition to join our Engagement Team quite yet, keep an eye out for him during your visit - he’s just one of the many perks of being surrounded by Cheshire’s wonderful wildlife!

#JodrellBank

A pheasant looking in a window against the backdrop of the Lovell Telescope. Caption reads: 'Meet Maurice'.

Maurice the pheasant looking in the window of the Star Pavilion, with the Lovell Telescope in the backdrop. Caption reads 'Frequently caught trying to join our daily Telescope Talks...'

Maurice the pheasant looking at his own reflection in the window, captioned: '... and regularly spotted gazing lovingly at his own reflection!'

👋 Meet Maurice!

If you’ve visited Jodrell recently, you might have noticed a rather persistent guest tapping at the windows of the Star Pavilion…

Maurice, our resident pheasant, has become a regular (if entirely uninvited!) presence at Jodrell’s daily, free Telescope Talks and other events.

The Earth at night from orbit, taken from a satellite. Text reads: 'Last tickets - Building a sustainable space future; with Dr Ciara McGrath, Thursday 19 March, 19.30-21.00.'

With satellite launches accelerating at an unprecedented rate, humanity has a responsibility to ensure a sustainable space future.

In this #LovellLecture, join Dr Ciara McGrath to explore the opportunities and challenges that define modern space exploration: https://ow.ly/upLY50YkcZw

An audience seated in the Space Dome watching a film tinted in orange. Text reads: 'The Martian - film nights in the Space Dome. The blockbuster Andy Weir adaptation starring Matt Damon.'

Counting down to ‘Project Hail Mary’? 🎥

To celebrate its upcoming release, #JodrellBank is screening ‘The Martian’ – Andy Weir’s other unmissable sci-fi hit – in a real home of space research!

Join us in the Space Dome for a film night under the stars: https://ow.ly/5CcX50YhCSq

A close-up shot of the Lovell Telescope dish against a blue sky.

🔭 Visiting us this February half term? We can’t wait to welcome you on your mission to Jodrell Bank!

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic (and popular!) week, so we strongly recommend pre-booking your tickets to guarantee entry.

We look forward to sharing an out-of-this-world adventure with you. ✨

An image of Earth at night, taken from a satellite. Text reads: 'Lovell Lecture - Building a sustainable space future; with Dr Ciara McGrath, Thursday 19 March, 19.30-21.00.'

🛰️ Though largely invisible to the naked eye, over 12,000 operational satellites currently circle Earth, delivering countless essential services. Yet with launches accelerating at an unexpected rate, we face the question – how can we ensure a sustainable space future?

🎟️ https://ow.ly/7JHs50Y9V3O

Black and white copy of the original Luna 9 Moon image.

Black and white photograph of members of the press looking at the intercepted Luna 9 Moon photos, at a press conference at Jodrell Bank.

🌙 On this day in Jodrell’s history...

In 1966, the first close-up photographs of the lunar surface - taken by the Soviet #Luna9 spacecraft - were received at Jodrell Bank, with help from an early type of facsimile machine (a picture receiver) borrowed from the Daily Express newspaper.

📸: JBO / UoM

The Artemis II rocket on its launchpad, captioned 'Lovell Lecture.' Adjacent to the rocket are headshots of Professor Katherine Joy and Dr Simeon Barber, the panellists.

Soon, humanity will return to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo missions – but why go back?

In our next Lovell Lecture, Prof. Katherine Joy and Dr Simeon Barber, hosted by Prof. Tim O'Brien, will discuss the challenges and motivations of returning to the Moon: https://ow.ly/EXnW50Y5Ho3

At @jodrellbank.bsky.social for the opening of #cosmicthreads and @annekellytextiles.bsky.social commission piece for the 80th anniversary - go and see it and of course the iconic radio telescope

Children interact with a green spaceship exhibit in the First Light Pavilion.

💫 February Half Term is nearly here!

Blast off with daily #Artemis themed science shows (included with admission), search the Cheshire countryside with our new Mission Explore stamp trail, and enjoy interactive exhibitions and immersive Space Dome shows.

🔗See what’s on: https://ow.ly/3Lk750Y4WPF

The Artemis II ship on its launch pad against a blue sky, captioned 'Return to the moon: why explore our nearest neighbour.' A red banner reads 'Lovell Lecture.'

Why explore our nearest neighbour? 🌙

In this special #LovellLecture, join our expert panel for an evening of insights as we examine the science, motivations, and challenges of returning humans to the Moon – and why returning there is about far more than simply going back: https://ow.ly/7aqy50Y1c9e

A photo of a little girl shouting into a whispering dish, captioned: 'Big dish, big day out! February Half Term at Jodrell Bank.'

Fuel your curiosity this February Half Term with Jodrell's free, daily science show, new stamp trail, cosmic crafts, and more! 🧪

📆 14 – 22 Feb. Save 10% when you book online: https://ow.ly/L1Qp50Y08t6

#FebruaryHalfTerm #JodrellBank

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen illuminated by lights at Launch Complex 39B, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

🌙 One step closer to the moon!

In a milestone for NASA’s upcoming lunar missions, the Artemis II rocket reached its launch pad this weekend.

Read more: www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...

📸: NASA/Keegan Barber
#Artemis #ArtemisII

The Lovell Telescope framed by a tree on a winter's day. A person takes a picture of the telescope in the grass in the foreground.

🔭 Reminder that, from 18-20 January, you will be unable to purchase tickets online whilst we make essential updates to our ticketing website.

Visitors are still welcome to come and purchase tickets on the door – we look forward to welcoming you on a mission to Jodrell very soon! ✨

A man and a woman interact with a screen in the exhibition. Text reads: 'Planning on buying a ticket online? Website updates 18-20 January, 2026.'

📣 Planning a mission to Jodrell Bank soon?

Please note that we are making updates to our ticketing system across 18–20 January: https://ow.ly/NWjJ50XWf7N

#JodrellBank

The Lovell Telescope and dusk, overlayed by text read: "We're Hiring, new roles available: AV & Technical Lead (closes 06/02), Café Team Leader (closes 22/01)."

New year, new job? 💫

If you've ever fancied making an impact at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, now’s your chance! We have a range of exciting opportunities on the University of Manchester and Jodrell Bank websites: https://ow.ly/3aJu50XVpK4

#Hiring #JodrellBank

The Lovell Telescope in the snow, with the sun shining through the trees.

After a busy few days of getting launch-ready for the New Year, we’re delighted to share that we are back open from this weekend onwards! 🔭✨

We look forward to welcoming you to our slice of the Solar System.

📸: Dr Anthony Holloway

A photo of a starry sky captioned: 'Bonus Tickets: BE THE ASTRONOMER, a choose-your-adventure discovery in the sky! with Professor René Breton, Thursday 29 January, 19.30 - 21.00.' René Breton, a brunette man who is smiling and wearing a black checked shirt, is in the bottom right-hand corner.

🎟️ Extra tickets released due to popular demand!

Join Professor René Breton in a unique, ‘choose-your-own-adventure' Lovell Lecture, where you will have the opportunity to investigate an astronomical transient: https://ow.ly/bxlA50XTkkW

#LovellLecture #JodrellBank

A green and red aurora with the Lovell Telescope silhouetted on the skyline, captioned 'Next Steps Astrophotography with Dr Anthony Holloway, Wednesday 25 March, 19.00 - 21.20 (Image credit: Dr Anthony Holloway).'

Want to level-up your astrophotography in 2026? 📸

Our 'Next Steps Astrophotography’ evening offers tips and techniques to create breath-taking images of the sky!

This classroom-based session features a lecture from Dr Anthony Holloway, plus demos of industry software: https://ow.ly/CkBx50XSOeN

The Lovell radio telescope with snow on the ground and trees as the sun sets

The end of a snowy day at Jodrell Bank Observatory with a view of the Sun setting behind the Lovell Telescope.

@jodrellbank.bsky.social @officialuom.bsky.social
@uomscieng.bsky.social

A photo of a starry sky captioned: 'Lovell Lecture: BE THE ASTRONOMER, a choose-your-adventure discovery in the sky! with Professor René Breton, Thursday 29 January, 19.30 - 21.00.' René Breton, a brunette man who is smiling and wearing a black checked shirt, is in the bottom right-hand corner.

Ever dreamed of being a professional astronomer? Is your New Year’s resolution to spend more time searching the sky? Our latest Lovell Lecture is for you! 💫

Join Professor René Breton in a ‘choose-your-own adventure’ evening, where you'll step into an astronomer’s shoes: https://ow.ly/yXyf50XLwp6

A close up of the Lovell dish in golden hour glow, captioned 'Happy New Year!'

🎉 Happy New Year from the entire Jodrell Bank crew!

From cosmic community projects and cultural events, to ground-breaking science and unforgettable family fun, thank you to everyone who has been a part of making 2025 so stellar.🔭

#HappyNewYear #2026 #JodrellBank

The Lovell Telescope on a foggy, snowy morning, parked facing upwards. Caption reads: 'Closure week 5-9 January 2026.'

📣 A reminder that we’ll be closed for essential maintenance and staff training from 5-9 January, allowing us to ensure that we are launch-ready for the New Year!

We can’t wait to welcome you back to our slice of the Solar System soon.

📸: Our Exhibition Manager, Christian Knight.
#JodrellBank

A cup of coffee with the Jodrell Bank logo on it. A scone is in the background.

Looking for sweet treats to warm you up this holiday season? ☕

Pop into one of our two cafés and discover that we aren’t just famous for the big dish – we’ve got plenty of small dishes, snacks, and treats to enjoy too!

#JodrellBank

The Christmas tree cluster. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: Clow, M.; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/L. Frattare and K. Arcand

Merry Cosmos to all those who celebrate from the #JodrellBank crew! ✨

To mark the occasion, we’re spotlighting NGC 2264 – a cluster of young stars between one and five million years old – otherwise known as the ‘Christmas tree cluster’... 🎄

Image credit: https://ow.ly/8XyU50XLvaQ

A photo of an audience sat in the Space Dome watching a Ted's Space Adventure show, promoting 'Twixmas fun for little astronauts!' A blue outline of the Lovell dish overlays the image.

If you’re looking for something to inspire and engage little astronauts this winter break, we’ve got you covered!

Join Ted the bear and his trusty companion Plant on a sing-along journey across the Solar System, packed with music and interactive fun: https://ow.ly/9kxN50XLuM6

A snowy picture of the Lovell Telescope with a frosty tree in the foreground, captioned: 'what's on?'

From last-minute Christmas shopping and seasonal treats in the café, to frosty countryside walks and hands-on science, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained throughout the holidays at Jodrell: https://ow.ly/weah50XLup5 🔭

#JodrellBank