Discussing the extraordinary experience of being the pioneer to locate a black hole, an interview featuring Paul Murdin, a co-discoverer of these cosmic phenomena.

In the 1960s, the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) was constructed at Herstmonceux Estate in East Sussex, UK. The telescope, named after the renowned scientist Sir Isaac Newton, was not primarily used for astrophysical research but rather for astrometry.

Paul Murdin, a future astronomer of great significance, first worked at Herstmonceux as a summer student in the early 1960s. His memories of the INT are mixed, but he acknowledges that it has made great discoveries and is still productive today.

The INT was moved to its current home in La Palma, Spain in 1981 due to the unforgiving English weather. The move was challenging for Murdin, who found it frustrating to work with the telescope due to the unpredictable weather and difficulties in operating it.

Murdin's time at Herstmonceux was marked by significant achievements. After moving from the University of Cambridge, he contributed to the discovery of the first known black hole in the binary star system Cygnus X-1. This groundbreaking discovery was made using the INT during its tenure at Herstmonceux.

Following the discovery, Murdin was moved from being a research fellow to a permanent employee and later became a member of the team managing the transfer of the INT to La Palma and the building of the William Herschel Telescope.

The first discovery of a black hole by the INT was made during its time at Herstmonceux. The first paper to come out of the INT was by Michael Penston, who made a spectral analysis of an active galaxy and discovered that it had changed its nature.

Murdin's career took him beyond the shores of the UK. After a year at Herstmonceux, he moved to the US to work in astrophysics. He continued to compete for access to the INT and applied for specific programs to carry out his own research.

Murdin often served on a roster to support visitors using the INT, helping them operate the equipment and troubleshoot issues with the engineering support staff. His dedication to the INT and its research was unwavering.

Tragically, Louise Webster, another key figure in the INT's history, passed away in 1990 following a long illness. Her contributions to the telescope's work, particularly in the field of variable stars, will always be remembered.

The INT was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 December 1967. Today, it continues to be a beacon of scientific discovery, standing as a testament to the hard work and dedication of astronomers like Paul Murdin and Louise Webster. The story of the INT is a tale of perseverance, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge in the vast expanse of the universe.