Artists, writers and scientists urge UK government to save Jodrell Bank Observatory
New Order and Simon Armitage among more than 100 signatories to criticise ‘foolish and shortsighted’ cuts More than 100 artists, writers and scientists have called for the UK government to save the “world’s clearest eyes on the sky”, after funding for thenetwork of radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory was slashed. New Order, the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and the poet laureate,…
More than 150 public figures have signed a letter urging the government to reverse a decision and provide immediate funding to save Jodrell Bank observatory. £2.8 million has been withdrawn, leaving the University of Manchester to find alternative sources by 2028. The letter, signed by a host of celebrities and professionals, calls Jodrell Bank an icon in UK cultural and scientific history, and a beacon of science dedicated to space exploration and education.
Its enormous Lovell Telescope, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Britain's greatest unsung landmark. The UK Research and Innovation agency (UKRI) has prioritized projects with the greatest long-term impact, necessitating the closure of Jodrell Bank. The observatory's closure would affect 28 jobs and nearly 3,000 scientists using it for research.
The site hosts over 25,000 schoolchildren annually and is at the heart of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, a global astronomical project. It also plays a crucial role in tracking space debris, solar flares, satellites, and asteroids. UKRI's decision to cut funding stems from increased research costs for physics and lab operations.
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