Inverclyde Skywatchers are over the moon at being backed by renowned scientist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.
The 82-year-old is a famous for discovering pulsar stars as a young scientist and was recently awarded a Companion of the British Empire honour for her work in physics and as a champion for women everywhere.
Pulsars are highly magnetised rotating neutron stars which emit beams of electromagnetic radiation out of their magnetic poles which can only be observed when a beam is pointing towards Earth. Dame Jocelyn observed signals from the first discovered pulsar in 1967 using a telescope she helped build.
The Inverclyde Skywatchers team ran a recent Telescope and Observing School for local enthusiasts (Image: George Munro)
The celebrated scientist visited Greenock two years ago to take part in a star-studded conference at the Beacon organised by the Skywatchers founder Marion McNeill.
The Inverclyde Skywatchers team ran a recent Telescope and Observing School for local enthusiasts (Image: George Munro)
Her endorsement is the latest milestone for the grassroots group, which is giving local people the chance to explore the skies above.
The skywatching group has been helping to turn the area into a top spot for astronomical activity, having overseen the installation of a research camera called Scamp in the area to track fallen meteorites as part of a global programme.
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell Andrew Matthews/PA Wire (Image: Andrew Matthews)
Marion, who set up the group ten years ago, said: “It is a real honour to have Dame Jocelyn as our patron, she is an amazing lady and she is coming back to visit us next year.
“We are delighted to have her on board and it is great recognition for the group.”
The exciting announcement comes as the group continue with their usual programme, recently hosting one of their telescope schools at their base in the Inverkip Hub.
Marion added: “We had a great day at the telescope school, there are so many people out there with telescopes in their house, but they don’t know what to do with them.”
The Inverclyde Skywatchers team ran a recent Telescope and Observing School for local enthusiasts (Image: George Munro)
Since setting up as a small group in Greenock’s South West Library, Inverclyde Skywatchers has gone from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the top community astronomy groups in the UK.
The group’s growth saw founder Marion win the Sir Patrick Moore award from the British Astronomical Association in 2024 for her outstanding work.
The Inverclyde Skywatchers meet every Monday from 3pm to 5pm in the Inverkip Hub and all are welcome to come along.