Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Made:
1967 in Cambridge
designer:
Antony Hewish
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array Parts of the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as Parts of the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Parts of the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967. Designed by Antony Hewish and used by Jocelyn Bell to detect pulsars. Consists of two wooden vertical supports, one wooden cross support, and a section of copper wire and cables.

This is part of the four-acre radio telescope used in one of astronomy’s most famous chance discoveries. In 1967, student Jocelyn Bell noticed a ‘bit of scruff’ on the telescope’s data charts. Astronomers realised that the unusual signal, which repeated regularly, came from a new class of cosmic object.

Initially, these objects were nicknamed LGM, for ‘little green men’. But rather than aliens, they are rapidly spinning dense stars. They are called pulsars and over 1800 are now known.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
2009-43
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
credit:
University of Cambridge

Parts

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Two posts plus copper wire, one of two sets from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

More

This is part of the four-acre radio telescope used in one of astronomy’s most famous chance discoveries. In 1967, student Jocelyn Bell noticed a ‘bit of scruff’ on the telescope’s data charts. Astronomers realised that the unusual signal, which repeated regularly, came from a new class of cosmic object.

Initially, these objects were nicknamed LGM, for ‘little green men’. But rather than aliens, they are rapidly spinning dense stars. They are called pulsars and over 1800 are now known.

Measurements:
overall: 2800 mm x 950 mm x 455 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) , metal (unknown) and copper (alloy)
Object Number:
2009-43/1
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Two posts plus copper wire, one of two sets from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

Measurements:
overall: 250 mm x 400 mm x 3100 mm, 6 kg
Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2009-43/2
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

One post plus copper, one of two sets from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2009-43/3
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Four post support brackets, two types (two of each), one for driving into earth with other for attaching to concrete. All from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2009-43/4
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Plastic insulated copper wire (2 metres), from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

Measurements:
overall: 150 mm x 150 mm x 5 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2009-43/5
type:
radio telescope and instrument component
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Parts from the Cambridge Interplanetary Scintillation Array

Bare collector copper wire with insulator pieces (many metres), from the interplanetary scintillation array (also known as the 4-acre array) built at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, 1967.

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2009-43/6
type:
radio telescope and instrument component

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