New rooftop observatory honours astrophysics lecturer

Students can now observe the cosmos from the new Jon Davies Observatory, named after lecturer who inspired generations of astrophysicists.

A new facility will provide students with opportunities to observe the night sky from the roof of their department.

The Jon Davies Observatory was opened on 18 September in recognition of former astrophysics lecturer Jon Davies, who was passionate about giving students opportunities for practical observing during their time at Cardiff University.

"Our family hopes that it will continue to spark a curiosity in students for many decades to come, inspiring them to look up at the night sky, to ask questions about the Universe, and perhaps to follow in some small way the path that our Dad loved."

Led by Dr Matthew Smith, Senior Lecturer and observational astronomer, the observatory was created by staff in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the School of Physical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences - both refurbishing the facilities Jon Davies used and adding new technology.

Dr Smith said: “We’re really pleased to have set up this new facility dedicated to Jon’s memory. This has been an incredible team effort drawing on the expertise of our electrical and mechanical workshops, laboratory technicians, and several of our astrophysicists, some of whom are keen astrophotographers themselves”.

The observatory was officially opened by Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, who said: “This exciting new facility will enrich students’ practical, hands-on learning, enabling them to make their own observations of the night sky while gaining insight into the groundbreaking research undertaken by our astrophysics academics”.

The new observatory consists of:

• A 16-inch telescope optimised for deep sky imaging with the ability to image everything from comets, star-clusters, galaxies, and nebula, both in broadband (i.e., colour) filters, as well as common narrowband filters targeting ionised gas. Its first project is measuring exoplanets passing in front of their host stars (known as exoplanet transits).
• A dedicated 9.25-inch telescope optimised for planetary imaging which will make spectacular images of planets like Jupiter and Saturn.
• A 2m radio dish set up to measure the radiation from atomic hydrogen. Mapping out the hydrogen in the Milky Way makes it possible to map out the structures of our galaxy, including how fast it is rotating (hence inferring the existence of dark matter). View the results from the first test run.

This involved modifying existing equipment to make it remote controlled enabling 24-hour use, and adding new narrow-band filters and larger format cameras to overcome light pollution, which has significantly increased in recent years, as well as new low-noise electronics.

Event attendees were also able to enjoy a new display in the department’s foyer showcasing the history of Physics at Cardiff and commemorating John Viriamu Jones FRS, the Physics professor who was the first Principal of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, which later became Cardiff University.

Teaching Technician Dionne Shillabeer who organised the exhibit said: “It’s been a labour of love to assemble this display showing the evolution of Physics at Cardiff from its inauguration at what was then the new University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire in 1883 to Main Building in 1928, and finally to our current site in 1983”.

“Our current students may also be interested in seeing the first ever Physics exam paper from 1884-5!”

The opening was attended by School of Physical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences students and staff, as well as Jon Davies’s family.

With thanks to the School of Global Humanities, Glamorgan Archives, Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives and the School of Physical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences for supporting the display.