The Marsh Observatory to train astronomers of the future

The University of Warwick has opened its doors to its brand-new Marsh Observatory - which will train astronomers of the future. The on-campus telescope facility was opened by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967 and one of a handful of women to have been awarded prestigious Royal Astronomical Society gold medal. The observatory features a large 40 cm telescope and a state-of-the-art digital imager which will allow students and researchers to observe Solar System objects, stars, exoplanet transits, and galaxies. The telescope is connected with a network of research telescopes operated by the University of Warwick, including telescopes at La Palma, Chile, and Australia. The telescope will provide students the opportunity to hone their skills - easing the transition from their education to leading research. The facility will be used for teaching as part of Warwick's Physics with Astrophysics degree programme and for student research projects. The Marsh Observatory will also be used to host public engagement events for schools and clubs, inspiring the next generation of young scientists.