Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory

I enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory with the Camb-Hams this week. The Observatory is located in 500 acres just to the south-west of Cambridge and is home to some very interesting engineering and radio hardware. I learnt a great deal from our guides who were obviously both very knowledgable and passionate about the Observatory and its important and historic work.

The Cavendish Laboratory pioneered in this field under the direction of Professor Sir Martin Ryle, F.R.S. from 1945 to 1982. The first Observatory was on the outskirts of Cambridge. In 1957, through the generosity of Mullard Ltd. and with support from the Science Research Council, the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO) was built 5 miles south-west of Cambridge, at Lord’s Bridge. The Observatory is operated by the Cavendish Laboratory, supported by the Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council. The work of the MRAO was recognised by the award of the 1974 Nobel Prize for physics to Professor Ryle and Professor Hewish.

Photographs are available in my MRAO Gallery