Artists, writers and scientists urge UK government to save Jodrell Bank Observatory

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, Simon Armitage, are among those calling on the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, to save the deep space observatory which includes the Grade I-listed Lovell telescope, prized by astronomers who study galaxies, star formation and planets beyond the solar system. Last week the observatory’s funder, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said it would withdraw funding for the e-Merlin network, the UK’s national radio astronomy facility at Jodrell Bank, when the current agreement ends in March 2028. “We believe that to shut it down to save just £2.8m a year is foolish and shortsighted,” states the letter to Burnham as well as the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and the head of UKRI. The letter argues that to close down the home of e-Merlin would be to poke out “some of the world’s clearest eyes on the sky”. The Lovell telescope tracked the Sputnik launch in 1957 and is at the centre of a global project tasked with mapping the first billion years of the universe. Scientists have also called the decision a blow to UK astronomy, with observations at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire due to end completely unless other funding is found. The move threatens 28 jobs at the observatory and will affect nearly 3,000 researchers who work within the facility. Further cuts were announced for dozens of facilities, instruments and projects, which are expected to result in about 800 job losses. The UKRI has an annual budget of nearly £10bn. The drop in funding is the latest in a rolling package of cuts from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which it funds. The STFC needs to make substantial savings as a result of cost overruns, soaring electricity and staff costs, and high foreign exch…