Since its founding in 1894, the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff has played a key role in astronomical research.
But the facility will be scaling back, citing funding issues.
"The resources we had just aren’t available anymore," said Lowell spokesperson Kevin Schindler.
Schindler explained that grant funding has historically covered about one-third of the cost of salaries for tenured and tenure-track astronomers, with Lowell covering the remainder of the costs with funds from a trust derived from founder Percival Lowell's will.
Schindler said grants covered 35% of those salary costs in 2023; 33% in 2024; and 30% in 2025; and that the observatory's funds "are simply no longer adequate to cover the shortfall."
Lowell will narrow its focus down to two key areas: exo-planetary research and planetary defense.
"Planetary defense is essentially things from space that can hit Earth, like asteroids or comets ... so-called near-Earth objects," Schindler said.
Schindler says the observatory will continue with two permanent mission scientists. Independent researchers will still be able to work there but will not be funded by Lowell.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify comments about the role of grant funding in covering the observatory's expenses.
PHOTOS: Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory
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