Artists and Scientists Urge UK Government to Save Jodrell Bank Observatory Amid Funding Cuts
A coalition of artists, writers, and scientists is urging the UK government to save the Jodrell Bank Observatory, a key facility for radio astronomy, after funding cuts were announced. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) plans to withdraw funding for the e-Merlin network, threatening 28 jobs and affecting nearly 3,000 researchers. The cuts are part of broader reductions by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, driven by cost overruns and high foreign exchange rates. The observatory, home to the Lovell telescope, is crucial for global scientific research and tracking space debris.