Information on Loughborough
News Index
2009
Nov 2009Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Leicester involved in new space telescope that 'looks back in time'
Posted on 27/04/09
University of Leicester
The next generation of space instrumentation which will effectively allow scientists to look back in time is to be discussed at a meeting of international scientists and engineers at the University of Leicester.
The Universitys Space Research Centre one of the biggest academic centres of its kind in Europe is hosting a three-day conference between April 2830 at the Universitys conference centre in Oadby.
The University is closely involved in building an instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scheduled for launch in 2013. This is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and will be the premier astrophysics observatory of the next decade.
JWST will look outwards - and effectively back in time - to discover some of the earliest objects formed in the universe, and be able to look at locations in space that are heavily blanketed by dense clouds of dust and gas. It will have a 6.5m diameter mirror (2.5 times that of Hubble) and will be several hundred times more sensitive than current infrared telescopes.
The University of Leicesters Space Research Centre Manager, John Pye, said: JWST will have 4 scientific instruments. One of these instruments the MidInfrared Instrument (MIRI) is being designed and built by a European Consortium of scientific institutions and industry, including the University of Leicester.
We provide the structural and mechanical engineering lead for the design and development of MIRI, and with colleagues at the Danish National Space Centre (DNSC) are responsible for the MIRI Primary Structure that ensures that all the critical components of the instrument are held in close alignment even through the large vibrations and shock of launch (on a European Space Agency Ariane-V rocket) and during cool-down to the operational temperature of -266 C (just 7 degrees above absolute zero).
The MIRI Consortium will be holding a major project meeting, hosted by the University of Leicester, from 28-30 April 2009 attended by 70 engineers, scientists and managers from around Europe.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the progress and future planning of the MIRI instrument and planning for early astronomical observations. Several staff from the Universitys Department of Physics and Astronomy will be closely involved.
Dr Pye, who is the Universitys lead staff member for MIRI, said: Its great to be able to welcome so many colleagues from around Europe to Leicester at this exciting time in the project. The James Webb Space Telescope will in a few years time succeed Hubble as the premier astronomical space observatory, and will be used by thousands of scientists worldwide.
Jon Sykes, of the Universitys Space Research Centre, who is the mechanical engineering lead for the whole MIRI Consortium, added: As a ground-breaking astronomical instrument, MIRI has presented many engineering challenges, which the multi-national design team have worked together to meet and produce a world-class facility.
Dr Pye added: The project has now successfully built and tested two full-size test models of MIRI. The component parts of the final model (Flight Model) are currently nearing completion at various locations around the UK (including Leicester), the rest of Europe and in the USA. MIRI will be delivered to NASA during 2010.
JWST is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. MIRI is a joint European and US project. Funding for MIRI work in the UK is provided by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The MIRI European Consortium is led by Professor Gillian Wright of STFCs Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh.
Latest News
Launceston Road junction improvements begin | |
|---|---|
![]() | Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Launceston Road junction improvements beginWork on a new road layout to ease traffic congestion is starting at a key junction in Wigston next week. The £60,000 improvements to the junction of Station Road and Launceston Road include a new mini roundabout and an extension to the on-pavement cycle lane.... 21 Nov 2009 Launceston Road junction improvements begin |
Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley | |
![]() | Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Accident-reducing road improvements in HinckleyWork is starting on the second phase of a £110,000 road improvement scheme to reduce accidents along a key route in Hinckley. The work on Dodwells Road and Normandy Way, which is being carried out by Leicestershire County Council, is due to start on Monday.... 21 Nov 2009 Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley |
Seven schools receive £16 million revamp | |
![]() | 20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp |
Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture | |
![]() | University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture |
An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke | |
![]() | 10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke |
Related News
Space giant moves to new home | |
|---|---|
![]() | Largest space telescope ever constructed in Britain set to go on display, thanks to University of Leicester... 17 Jun 2009 Space giant moves to new home |
Space instruments provide evidence of the warming of the Earths surface temperature | |
![]() | Scientists to gather at symposium to celebrate results of climate change monitoring instrument on 22 October... 23 Oct 2009 Space instruments provide evidence of the warming of the Earths surface temperature |
Earth observation experts gather in city for conference | |
![]() | The University of Leicester is to host a major international conference on Earth observation from space... 17 Aug 2009 Earth observation experts gather in city for conference |
Space research boosts business close to home | |
![]() | Event at University of Leicester will showcase how space research technologies have medical applications... 12 Mar 2009 Space research boosts business close to home |
Astronomers explore 'last blank space' on map of the Universe | |
At 13 billion light years away, GRB 090423 sets new record for the most distant known object in the Universe ... 29 Oct 2009 Astronomers explore 'last blank space' on map of the Universe | |
Relevant News
Gorse Covert Grant | |
|---|---|
![]() | Charnwood Borough Council has secured an ?in principle? grant of 773,500 from the Big Lottery Fund to refurbish the Gorse Covert Community Centre in Maxwell Drive, Loughborough.... 15 Apr 2008 Gorse Covert Grant |
International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction | |
![]() | Loughborough University will be hosting the first international conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction (I3CON) from 14 ? 16 May.... 29 Apr 2008 International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction |
Undergraduate satellite mission aims to put dust detector into orbit | |
![]() | Undergraduates at the University of Leicester are on target to design, build and launch a student satellite on a real space mission.... 10 Jun 2008 Undergraduate satellite mission aims to put dust detector into orbit |
International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction | |
![]() | International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction Loughborough University will be hosting the first international conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction (I3CON) from 14 16 May. The conference will include presentations from the European Commission and keynote speeches from eminent speakers including: Dr David Clarke, CEO of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI); Professor Reijo Kohonen, CEO of Global EcoSolutions Ltd; and Dr Miguel Segarra, Coordinator of the I3CON project.... 27 Dec 2008 International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction |
Experts present latest thinking on green energy at conference | |
![]() | Experts present latest thinking on green energy at conference Some of the country s leading experts in green energy technologies are to present their current thinking at a conference being hosted this week by the Midlands Energy Consortium a group comprised of the universities of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham. Delegates from across the UK will gather on 15 October at Loughborough University to hear the views of leaders from industry and academia on the generation and application of new, cleaner energies.... 29 Dec 2008 Experts present latest thinking on green energy at conference |
Most Read News (today)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
![]() | A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
![]() | Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
![]() | 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
The Carbon Benefits Project | |
![]() | Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
![]() | Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey | |
|---|---|
![]() | Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey |
Loughborough Fair | |
![]() | The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair |
Police searching for missing man have found a body | |
![]() | Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body |
Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice | |
![]() | Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice |
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY | |
![]() | Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY |
Most Read News (alltime)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood | |
|---|---|
![]() | A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools | |
![]() | Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools |
Robot in Loughborough Town Centre | |
![]() | Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre |
Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. | |
![]() | 14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success. |
Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire | |
![]() | Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |











