Ground Telescopes

Karlie Noon

Karlie Noon
Credit: Rhett Wyman, Sydney Morning Herald
Used by permission

Occupation: Astronomer

Research Areas: Galaxy Evolution, Indigenous Astronomy, Moon Haloes

Teresa Anderson

Teresa Anderson
Credit: Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre,
The University of Manchester

Occupation: Director of Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Year born: 1962

Research Areas: Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Public Engagement

Anna Scaife

Anna Scaife
Credit: SKA Organisation

Occupation: Astrophysicist

Year born:

Research Areas: Radio-Astronomy, Artificial Intelligence

William Herschel

William Herschel
Credit: L F Abbott

Occupation: Astronomer & Musician

Year born: 1738

Research Areas: Astronomy, Spectroscopy

Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE in the NSO's
Dark Matter garden, RHS Chelsea 2015
Credit: Science and Technology Facilities Council

Occupation: Space Scientist and Science Communicator

Year born: 1968

LIGO

LIGO is the Laser Interferometry Gravitational-Wave Observatory. It detects gravitational waves from the surface of Earth. LIGO consists of 2 detectors: 1 in Louisiana, USA and 1 in Washington, USA.

The SKA will be the world's largest radio telescope. It is not 1 dish, but thousands of radio antennas which all work together. The SKA is being built in Australia, and South Africa. The headquarters are at Jodrell Bank Observatory in the UK. Phase 1 of the project should be complete by the end of 2024.

Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)

The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will be the world's largest optical telescope. The telescope is being built by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The ESO is made up of 16 countries which includes the UK and Ireland. The ELT is due to be complete at the end of 2027.