Jodrell Bank Observatory could close as funding is cut

The Jodrell Bank Observatory, a famous centre for world-leading radio telescopes, is at risk of closing because its main government funding has been significantly reduced.

This observatory, which studies deep space, includes the historic Lovell telescope. It is highly valued by scientists who research distant galaxies, black holes, how stars are formed, planets outside our solar system, and the very early universe after the big bang.

The organisation that provides funding, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), announced that it will stop supporting the e-Merlin network, which is the UK's main radio astronomy facility located at Jodrell Bank. This funding will end in March 2028, when the current agreement finishes.

Scientists have described this decision as a serious setback for astronomy in the UK. Observations at Jodrell Bank are expected to stop completely unless new sources of funding can be found. Professor Catherine Heymans, Scotland’s astronomer royal, stated that Jodrell Bank has produced amazing scientific discoveries for many years and that seeing this world-leading facility being cut is devastating.

Many other research facilities, instruments, and projects are also facing major funding cuts, which are expected to lead to around 800 job losses. Professor Brian Cox, a well-known TV scientist and professor at the University of Manchester, expressed his surprise that the funder proceeded with these cuts without working with the new government to prevent them.

Professor Cox explained that these severe and irreversible cuts resulted from rushed and poorly thought-out decisions made by UKRI, under a government department that no longer exists. He added that he is astonished UKRI is continuing with these cuts instead of collaborating with the current government to find a solution.

UKRI has a large annual budget, but the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which it funds, needs to make significant savings. This is due to increased costs for electricity and staff at UK facilities, as well as high foreign exchange rates affecting international projects like the Cern laboratory in Switzerland. These factors have led to budget overruns.

Professor Simon Garrington, an associate director at Jodrell Bank Observatory, said the staff were shocked. He commented that withdrawing funding for e-Merlin effectively removes the essential support for Jodrell Bank. This decision puts 28 jobs at the observatory at risk and will affect almost 3,000 researchers who use the facility.

Professor Garrington plans to contest the decision. He also hopes that finding new applications for the telescope, such as tracking satellites and space debris, might attract some alternative funding.

Jodrell Bank was among many facilities affected by the cuts. Funding for the UK's involvement in the Rubin Observatory in Chile, which recently started capturing images of the universe, will be reduced by 20%. Another telescope, the Next-Generation Transit Survey, used to search for Earth-like solar systems, will face a 45% funding cut.

Professor Jim Wild, president of the Royal Astronomical Society, remarked that at a time when technological innovation is vital for the country's future, discarding unique and globally important observatories jeopardises both scientific progress and the inspiration for future astronomers.

Further cuts include the complete withdrawal of funding for future equipment for the Extremely Large Telescope in Chile, which is searching for extraterrestrial life. The UK will also stop participating in the Event Horizon Telescope, the project that enabled astronomers to capture the first image of a black hole at the centre of our galaxy.

Sue Ferns from the Prospect trade union stated that Jodrell Bank is not only an iconic scientific site in the north-west of England but also a facility that supports the UK's leading research capabilities. She believes closing it would be a tragedy that undermines the UK's ambition to be a science superpower.

She added that this is only the beginning of a series of cuts that could severely damage public sector science in the UK and cause many scientists to lose their jobs. She urged the new government, with its focus on regional development, to reconsider these decisions before irreversible damage is done.

A spokesperson for STFC mentioned that the organisation conducted a thorough prioritisation process to concentrate investment on areas offering the best long-term scientific capability, impact, and value for the UK.

The spokesperson further explained that the decision to end funding for e-Merlin was the result of a detailed, evidence-based evaluation. As part of this process, STFC is directing investment towards areas that promise the greatest long-term scientific capability and value, including the next generation of advanced radio astronomy facilities.