To mark 80 years of discovery and connection with the universe, we invited the public to join us in a celebratory project – Cosmic Threads – a community quilt inspired by Jodrell Bank’s rich heritage and ground-breaking discoveries.

Embroidery and astronomy share a long tradition of inviting people to imagine the universe for themselves. Working with textile artist Anne Kelly, this project encouraged participants to craft a 23 cm x 23 cm textile panel that shared their personal connections to the wonders of the cosmos, with the finished creations joining our permanent collection.

We had over 200 submissions from people of all walks of life – locally, nationally, and internationally – exploring everything from personal encounters with the site and memories of the Lovell Telescope, to interpretations of our research, heritage, and wider cultural significance.

Now, we’re delighted to share the results with you. A dedicated public exhibition will be on display in our Space Pavilion from 24 January 2026 until Easter, after which the artwork will take up its permanent home here at Jodrell. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be inspired and discover the stories behind the artwork…

We hope you can join us in celebrating Jodrell’s legacy, as both a centre of scientific discovery and as a place that people feel part of!