Scottsdale Entrepreneur Jason Hope Pledges Funds to Lowell Observatory

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Local businessman Jason Hope is pleased to announce his donation to Flagstaff, Arizona's Lowell Observatory, one of the major astronomical research facilities in the country.  In light of his donation, Hope is now recognized as a "Friend of Lowell" and joins an esteemed group of businesses, philanthropic organizations and other individuals passionate about space science.  Hope will dedicate all funds to the observatory's education and research efforts.

"The history of Lowell Observatory is incredible; we are truly lucky to have such a fine research and educational facility in our state.  From the discovery of Pluto and the expanding universe among other notable breakthroughs concerning the cosmos, Lowell Observatory is an incredibly important place for all of us. As a self-admitted space junkie, I'm proud to contribute to such a renowned organization," said Jason Hope.  

As a major supporter of the Friends of Lowell, Hope will have the opportunity to attend various openings and exhibits held by the observatory in Flagstaff, including a special preview of the Discovery Channel Telescope at Lowell Observatory, a 4.3-meter telescope rising seven stories above the top of a cinder cone.  This $44 million facility will push the frontier of knowledge and bring the marvels of the cosmos to millions.  

About Jason Hope

Jason Hope is an entrepreneur, based in Scottsdale, AZ, with a passion for philanthropy focusing on education, disease cure, scientific research and biotechnology.  An Arizona native, Hope is a strong supporter of local educational programs that encourage learning inside and out of the classroom as well as those organizations that have a significant impact on disease prevention, control and cures.  Hope has worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Desert Mountain States Chapter, The Tony Hawk Foundation, The Andre Agassi Foundation, True Colors Fund, The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, Family Health International, Worldwide Orphans Foundation, T Gen Foundation, Teach for America Phoenix, International Foundation for Education and Self Help and the Arizona Science Center, where he is a member of the Director's Circle.

Currently, Hope has multiple entrepreneurial pursuits in industries that leverage technology and computer information systems.  

About Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory is a private, non-profit research institution founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell. The Observatory has been the site of many important findings including the discovery of the large recessional velocities (redshift) of galaxies by Vesto Slipher in 1912-1914 (a result that led ultimately to the realization the universe is expanding), and the discovery of Pluto by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Today, Lowell's 19 astronomers use ground-based telescopes around the world, telescopes in space, and NASA planetary spacecraft to conduct research in diverse areas of astronomy and planetary science. The Observatory welcomes about 80,000 visitors each year to its Mars Hill campus in Flagstaff, Arizona for a variety of tours, telescope viewing, and special programs. Lowell Observatory currently has four research telescopes at its Anderson Mesa dark sky site east of Flagstaff, and is building a 4.3-meter class research telescope, the Discovery Channel Telescope.

SOURCE Jason Hope