TRIBUTES have been paid to a distinguished astronomer and astrophysicist.

Professor Ian Morison, a key figure at Jodrell Bank, has died at the age of 80.

Simon Garrington, associate director at Jodrell Bank Observatory, and Tim O’Brien, professor of Astrophysics and associate director at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, have shared their memories of Mr Morison.

They said: “Ian was always a friendly and lively presence at Jodrell, with an infectious enthusiasm for astronomy and always keen to make contributions to new projects - we will miss him greatly and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very sad time.”

Prof Morison’s love of astronomy began at age 12 when he made a telescope from lenses given to him by his optician.

He attended Chichester High School before going on to study physics, mathematics and astronomy at Hertford College, Oxford.

In September 1965 he became a research student at Jodrell Bank and in 1970 was appointed to the staff of the observatory.

He worked on a range of projects, from lunar radar to radio galaxies, and together with JG Davies, designed and built some of the early computers used for controlling telescopes.

In the late 1970s, he played a key role in the development and commissioning of MERLIN, an array of radio telescopes with a resolution in the radio spectrum comparable to that of the Hubble Space Telescope in the optical.

At the same time, he was a University of Manchester lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, delivering many public talks and lectures on all aspects of astronomy.

In 2003, the Minor Planets Committee of the International Astronomical Union named asteroid 15,727 in his honour in recognition of his work with MERLIN and the search for intelligent life beyond our Solar System in Project Phoenix.

Then, from 2007 to 2011, Prof Morison was the Gresham Professor of Astronomy, a prestigious position which dates back to the 16th century and provides free public lectures.

Mr Garrington and Mr O’Brien added: “Ian was a particularly strong supporter of the public astronomy community.

“He was a long-standing committee member and past president of the National Society for Popular Astronomy and a founder/patron of the Macclesfield Astronomical Society.

“His descriptions of what to see in the night sky and advice on astronomical observing which he published in books, on his website and discussed on the Jodrell Bank podcast, The Jodcast, were always extremely popular.

“He also delivered many courses in astronomy locally and nationally which have enthused and inspired thousands of people.”