[ February 21, 2025 by Ronan Newman 0 Comments ]

Leviathan to LOFAR Walk and Talk at Birr Castle

Name: Leviathan to LOFAR Walk and Talk at Birr Castle
Start: 2025-03-08 11:00:00

Leviathan to LOFAR Walk and Talk at Birr Castle

Join us during Irish Astronomy Week for an enlightening “Leviathan to LOFAR” walk and talk at Birr Castle Demesne. This guided tour will explore the rich astronomical heritage of Birr, from the historic 19th-century Leviathan telescope to the cutting-edge 21st-century I-LOFAR radio telescope. Participants will gain insights into the engineering marvels of the Leviathan, once the world’s largest telescope, and discover the groundbreaking research conducted at the I-LOFAR observatory, highlighting Ireland’s pivotal role in the future of radio astronomy. This event is suitable for age 10+, and no prior knowledge is required. Includes access to Ireland’s Historic Science Centre. https://birrcastle.com/irelands-historic-science-centre/

The tour guide will be conducted by Jeremy Rigney who is a Lindsay PhD Scholar at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies & Armagh Observatory and Planetarium see https://homepages.dias.ie/jrigney/#about

I-LOFAR is located at Birr, Co Offaly, adjacent to the historic Leviathan telescope, which was built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse in 1845 and was the largest optical telescope in the world until 1917. One of the major discoveries with the telescope was the spiral nature of the nebulae. The great mirror was the first to be able to see that many of these were spiral in shape. What Lord Rosse was seeing were in fact galaxies. The famous Messier 51 (M51) whirlpool galaxy is the classic example of this and they have commemorated it with a spiral of lime trees which visitors can walk around.

The Irish LOFAR (LOw Frequency ARray) telescope at Birr is the first research grade telescope to have been built in Ireland in over 150 years, and has connected Ireland to the largest low frequency radio telescope in the world. The construction of I-LOFAR began in 2010, with the small RSTO (Rosse Solar Terrestrial Observatory) which determined Birr Castle to be the most ideal spot in Ireland to build I-LOFAR due to the low radio interference. A test array of 4 antennas was then installed in 2013, and after the success of that the Offaly County Council were given planning permission for the I-LOFAR telescope. Finally, on the 27th July 2017, the telescope saw first light and officially became a part of the LOFAR network.

As well as being a part of the groundbreaking research the LOFAR network provides, the I-LOFAR provides workshops for students and teachers to encourage the next generation of scientists. They help build more connections between schools and universities, both inspiring students to pursue STEM careers and giving them the connections they need to excel in them. With Ireland’s rich history in astronomy and astronomy likewise being an excellent introduction to STEM careers, the I-LOFAR is an excellent teaching point in schools across Ireland.