A petition launched to save Jodrell Bank Observatory has now been signed by more than five thousand people. The milestone has been reached in just over a week after the Manchester Evening News launched a major new campaign to save the scientific centre from closure last Monday (July 27).
Campaign launched after funding cuts
The campaign comes after the future of the site was thrown into doubt following the announcement of government funding cuts. Standing since 1957, it's the largest telescope in the UK, the world's third largest steerable radio telescope and a beloved feature of the local skyline.
As well as being used for important work in studying distant galaxies and other phenomena, it is the lead in the e-Merlin array, a network of telescopes up and down the country carrying out scientific research in deep space.
Funding decision sparks backlash
Despite this, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which provides funding, said that e-Merlin will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028. The annual grant to the facility is worth some £2.8m a year.
The news came with severe backlash including an open letter to Andy Burnham condemning the decision. The letter which described the action as 'foolish and short-sighted' was signed by stars such as Sir Brian May, New Order and Peter Hook, Johnny Marr, Elbow, Chris Eccleston and Jarvis Cocker, alongside astronauts Tim Peake and Chris Hadfield and leading scientists such as Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jim Al-Khalili.
Support grows for the observatory
The MEN petition to save the facility so far stands at 5,315 signatures at the time of writing. Jodrell Bank's associate director Tim O'Brien has been very thankful of the support since the launch of the campaign.
The astronomer said he was hopeful of finding 'a solution' so that vital scientific work could go on at Jodrell Bank. He said: "We are delighted that the M.E.N. is campaigning on our behalf. It’s a very difficult time for us here, but what is really helping is all the love and messages of support we are receiving. We are blown away and very grateful to everybody. Hopefully some solution can be found that will enable this special place to keep watching the skies."
