You are here: Home > SARA

 

• Jodrell Bank Home
• Contact us
• How to find us
• Phone/E-Mail directory
• Web Feedback
• School of Physics & Astronomy
• The University of Manchester

2004 SARA / UK Radio Astronomy Conference
September 25 – 26, 2004

At The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory

Introduction

In our continuing effort to educate and make Radio Astronomy more accessible, SARA (the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers) is organising this 2-day event to be hosted by the Jodrell Bank Observatory in the United Kingdom. Jodrell Bank is the astronomy research centre of the University of Manchester and hosts the UK's National Facility for Radio Astronomy.

The conference will include the following:

• Member Paper & Research Presentations in the Jodrell Bank Lecture Room (can seat up to 50 and has facilities including OHP, laptop + data projector, TV/video, slide projector and also a lovely view of the Lovell Telescope!)
• Guided tour of the Observatory
• Observing session on 7/13-metre telescope (to be confirmed)
• Refreshments (tea/coffee/juice + biscuits)
• Midday meal (self-paid)
• Evening meal (self-paid)

Registration Information

Registration will be 10 British pounds per person (US Conversion approximately $1.85 per pound). Payable on arrival in pounds sterling.

In order to register please contact Jeff Lichtman, SARA Founder and VP at: jmlras@mindspring.com , US Telephone: 954 722-5243.

If you wish to give a presentation please also send Jeff a short paragraph describing the proposed content.

Other information

There is no public transport to within walking distance of the Observatory. The closest railway station is Goostrey which is on the Manchester-Crewe line. However it would take a good 45 minutes to walk via country roads (with no footpaths) from Goostrey station - NOT RECOMMENDED!

A location map for Jodrell Bank  can be found at http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/contact/map.html. Further information on times of arrival etc will be provided following registration.

Mobile phones must be switched off while on site.

Accommodation

For those requiring overnight accommodation a list of suitable local establishments is provided below. It will be up to the individual to make his or her own accommodation bookings.

• Holly Lodge Hotel: Situated in Holmes Chapel. Cost for Bed and English Breakfast (single) is 46 pounds per night. Telephone 01477 537033 to make a booking. Holmes Chapel has a railway station on the Manchester-Crewe line.
• Cottage Lodge, Near Holmes Chapel, with restaurant, rooms from 45 pounds. Telephone 01565 722470.
• Chapel Cottage - Small cottage B&B, 01477 571489, around 25 pounds, in Lower Withington close by Observatory.
• Padgate Guest House: Located in Cranage near to the Observatory, a small guest house offering rates from 18 to 25 pounds. Telephone 01477 534291.
• Golden Cross Farm: Farmhouse B&B for around 20 pounds per night. Located in Siddington a few miles east of the Observatory. Telephone 01260 224358.
• Astle Farm East: Farmhouse B&B from around 25 pounds per night. Located in Chelford a few miles north of the Observatory. Telephone 01625 861270.
• Bridge Farm: Farmhouse Bed & English Breakfast near the Observatory. Double/Family/Single rooms available (limited numbers). Cost for single room about 25 pounds. Telephone 01477 571202.
• Gatehouse B&B, family home in village of Goostrey, close by Observatory, rooms from around 18 pounds. Tel: 01477 535331
• Danebank farm B&B, farmhouse in Holmes Chapel, a few miles from Observatory, 25-30 pounds. Tel: 01477 532217

As mentioned above the accommodation is not really within easy walking distance of the Observatory. If you do not have your own transport then you will need to book a taxi from your accommodation or arrange for a lift from another delegate staying at the same place.

List of Participants

 

Preliminary Programme (version 3 - 24th Sep 09:40)

The Observatory has a Visitor Centre which does not open until 10:30. There are automatic barriers at the entrance to the site which will open when you drive up to them if you arrive a little earlier than 10:30. Please follow the signs for "staff only" past the large public car park and through two more automatic barriers. You will eventually reach the small staff car park by the main entrance to the Observatory. This door is always locked. You can gain entry by pressing the doorbell and speaking to the Duty Controller explaining that you are here for the SARA meeting. Remember that this is not a public site and so you should aim to arrive around 10:15. The programme of talks does not begin until 11am.  

The times in the following programme are approximate - should anybody need more time we can always extend the slots!

Saturday 25th September

10:30	Arrival, registration, coffee.
11:00	Jodrell Bank Observatory - Past, Present & Future. A presentation and tour - Part I.	Ian Morison, Jodrell Bank Observatory
12:30	Lunch in the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre - self-paid.
13:30	Jodrell Bank Observatory - Past, Present & Future. A presentation and tour - Part II.	Ian Morison, Jodrell Bank Observatory
14:30	A total power 1421 MHz and 407 MHz solar radio telescope	Nico Heijblok, Netherlands, ERAC
15:00	The Cambridge 151 MHz radio telescope	Peter King, Cambridge University
15:20	A 408 MHz survey	James Wilhelm, UK, SARA
15:40	Tea
16:10	The 7-metre Telescope at Jodrell Bank - including a demonstration of the telescope and its new digital hydrogen-line receiver.	Tim O'Brien, Jodrell Bank Observatory
17:30	End of day's session.

Sunday 26th September

10:00	Make your own observations on the 7-metre Telescope.
12:30	Lunch in the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre - self-paid.
13:30	Nova explosions	Tim O'Brien, Jodrell Bank Observatory
14:00	My work as Observation Officer for the European Radio Astronomy Club and the Dutch Solar Observation Group.	Nico Heijblok, Netherlands, ERAC
14:20	Radio observations of meteors, the aurora and the Earth's magnetic field.	Rob Stammes, Netherlands, ERAC
14:40	Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances	Theo Dukers, Netherlands, ERAC
15:00	Visual astrometry/photometry of Near-Earth and Potentially Hazardous Asteroids.	John Fletcher, UK, Mount Tuffley Observatory
15:30	Tea
16:00	SETI - the story so far.	Ian Morison, Jodrell Bank Observatory
17:00	Summary and discussion of meeting
17:30	End of day's session.