Tributes paid as Sir Bernard Lovell, the founder of Jodrell Bank, dies, aged 98 (From Knutsford Guardian)

Tributes paid as Sir Bernard Lovell, the founder of Jodrell Bank, dies, aged 98

3:11pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By David Morgan

A STAR of the space age who founded a world-famous landmark in Cheshire died on Monday.

Tributes have been paid to Sir Bernard Lovell, the founder of Jodrell Bank, who died peacefully at home, aged 98, surrounded by his family.

The professor of radioastronomy leaves behind four children, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and will be remembered by hundreds of scientists who he inspired over the last seven decades.

“I don’t think it’s possible to overstate his legacy,” said Dr Tim O’Brien, astrophysicist at Jodrell Bank.

“Leaving aside the amazing work he did during the war, this place wouldn’t have existed without him.

Sir Bernard worked with Sir Charles Husband to create the 76-metre Lovell Telescope, a feat of engineering which tracked the rocket that carried Sputnik 1 into orbit in 1957.

Despite several funding threats, Jodrell Bank observatory was placed on the Government’s shortlist for World Heritage Site status for its role in our understanding of the Universe.

Sir Bernard was born on August 31, 1913 in Gloucestershire and studied at the University of Bristol before coming to Manchester to work in the Department of Physics in 1936.

He would have celebrated his 100th birthday in just over a year.

A book of condolence was opened at Jodrell Bank discovery centre today, Tuesday. Funeral details were yet to be announced as the Guardian went to press.