About half a year after Lowell Observatory’s research restructuring first went into effect, more than a third of its tenured scientists have left, with several expressing concerns about their ability to find funding for their work under the new model.
Lowell implemented a new structure for its research department at the beginning of the year that moved scientists in tenured or tenure track positions funded with support from the observatory into fully grant-funded positions. The changes were announced publicly in October and went into effect at the start of 2026.
Michael West
A sign points the way to Lowell Observatory.
Lowell Observatory director Amanda Bosh stands outside the Astronomy Discovery Center.
Gerard van Belle, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, stands atop one of the arms of the Y-shaped Navy Optical Precision Interferometer on Anderson Mesa in this 2018 photo.
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