Jodrell bank observatory selects casella equipment to monitor wind conditions

Work is currently underway at Jodrell Bank to resurface the giant 76 metre Lovell radio telescope, probably the most celebrated scientific instrument in the land.

The Casella Multimet, which has a dedicated combined sensor for both wind speed and direction, has been mounted 10 metres up the mast of the Lovell telescope. It will ultimately replace a 30 years-old wind speed gauge – secured 50 metres above ground level – but in the meantime is acting as a back-up system.

The resurfacing of the Lovell Telescope is being jointly funded by a £2million grant from the Government and Wellcome Foundation and is due for completion by the Autumn of 2002.

Old surface panels are being chiselled off and new panels made from galvanised steel plates are being installed. The upgrade should allow the University of Manchester and other UK astronomers to learn more about the life and death of stars, from their formation in the clouds of dust and gas in our galaxy to the often cataclysmic explosions at the end of their life which often result in the ultra-compact objects known as Pulsars.

Ian Freer, Jodrell Bank’s Senior Controller comments: “We selected the Multimet because of the quality and versatility of the clear graphical LCD display system which has a number of different screens. Data can be transferred from the Multimet via a PC and we are currently setting this up.”

The range of data that may be displayed includes two-minute and 10-minute rolling average wind speed and direction, wind gust warning and scrolling wind speed graph.

For further info please contact Casella CEL

Regent House,

Wolseley Road,

Kempston,

Bedford

MK42 7JY

Telephone: +44(0)1234 844100

Fax: +44(0)1234 841490

Email: info@casella.co.uk