Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Reith Lectures

Podcasts

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Reith Lectures: Bernard Lovell - The Individual and the Universe: Astronomy and the State

Bernard Lovell - The Individual and the Universe

30/11/1958

Astronomy and the State

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Bernard Lovell - The Individual and the Universe, Astronomy and the State

Professor Bernard Lovell explores how countries invest in solar system exploration.

Professor Bernard Lovell explores how countries invest in solar system exploration in his fourth Reith lecture entitled 'Astronomy and the State'.

This year's Reith Lecturer is Professor Bernard Lovell, the first Director of the Jodrell Bank Experimental Observatory, and Professor of Radio Astronomy at Manchester University. During the Second World War, he helped to develop radar systems for aircrafts, for which he received an OBE in 1946. He delivers six lectures on the wonders of the solar system in his series entitled 'The Individual and the Universe'.

In his fourth lecture entitled 'Astronomy and the State', Professor Bernard Lovell explores how countries invest in solar system exploration. He warns that without state investment in research projects, the development of knowledge will be lost. He cautions the British government to keep investing in science in order to protect the influence and foresight that English scientists have on the world. 

The Reith Lectures: Bernard Lovell - The Individual and the Universe

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Professor Bernard Lovell examines the history of inquiry into the origins of the universe.

Bernard Lovell, Professor of Radio Astronomy at Manchester University, examines the history of and current inquiry into our solar system and the origin of the universe.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Reith Lectures

Bernard Lovell - The Individual and the Universe

Astronomy and the State

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4