Searchlight Telescope
A searchlight was loaned to Jodrell Bank in 1946 by the Army; a broadside array was constructed on the mount of this searchlight by J. Clegg, consisting of a number of Yagi antennas. This was first used for astronomical observations in October 1946.
On 9 and 10 October 1946, the telescope was used to observe the ionisation in the atmosphere caused by meteors in the Giacobinids meteor shower. When the antenna was turned by 90 degrees at the maximum of the shower, the number of detections dropped to the background level, proving that the transient signals detected by radar were indeed from meteors. Shortly after this, the telescope was used to determine the radiant points for meteors. This was possible as the echo rate is at a minimum at the radiant point, and a maximum at 90 degrees to it. The telescope, as well as other receivers on the site, was also used to study auroral streamers that were visible at the site in early August 1947.
Read more about this topic: Jodrell Bank Observatory
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