Print This Page (simplified layout)

Telescopes Now

Telescope Now: Real Stories of AstronomyTelescopes Now: real stories of astronomy today

In February 2009, the Museum invited four eminent astronomers to share the stories behind some of the major instrumental developments of the modern era. Touching on the practical, technical, financial and organisational challenges facing telescope builders today, the lectures were an ideal complement to an exhibition of historical telescopes.

Podcasts of the lectures can be downloaded below, or you can listen to them within your web browser. Slides from the lectures are also available.

Hubble telescope imageProfessor Alexander Boksenberg: the William Herschel and the Hubble Telescopes

Alexander Boksenberg is Honorary Professor of Experimental Astronomy, University of Cambridge, and a former Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Listen to/download the audio from this lecture (MP3 format)

Download and view the slides from this lecture (PDF format)

Lovell Telescope image

Professor Phil Diamond: Jodrell Bank, the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN

Phil Diamond is Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics.

Professor Phil Diamond: Jodrell Bank, the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN

Listen to/download the audio from this lecture (MP3 format)

Download and view the slides from this lecture (PDF format)

Gemini Telescope Hawaii image

Professor Roger Davies: the Gemini Telescopes

Roger Davies is Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics and Chairman of Physics, University of Oxford. He will talk about his time working with the Gemini Telescopes in Chile and Hawaii.

Professor Roger Davies: the Gemini Telescopes

Download and listen to the audio from this lecture (MP3 format)

Download and view the slides from this lecture (PDF format)

Image of Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray observatory

Professor Alan Watson: the Pierre Auger Observatory

Alan Watson is Emeritus and Research Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Leeds and with James Cronin established and led the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina.

Professor Alan Watson: the Pierre Auger Observatory

Download and listen to the audio from this lecture (MP3 format)

Download and view the slides from this lecture (PDF format)

For information about future lectures at the Museum please sign up to our monthly e-newsletters here.