Perkins Observatory were both growing. Light pollution therefore became increasingly problematic. So in 1961 the Perkins Telescope was moved to Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lowell is the largest private observatory (non-university or government affiliated) in the world. Through the end of the 20th century, the Perkins Telescope was the observatory’s largest instrument. Observing time on this instrument was shared between Lowell astronomers and the Ohio State University. The telescope at Perkins was immediately replaced with a cassegrain reflector telescope. It was donated by Michael R. Schottland, an entrepreneur from Martinsville, Virginia. At that time it was the largest privately owned telescope
Lowell Township, Michigan Lowell Township, Michigan Lowell Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 5,219. The City of Lowell is in the northern portion of the township, but is administratively autonomous. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (2.10%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 5,219 people, 1,726 households, and 1,410 families residing in the township. The population density was 159.9 per square mile (61.8/km²).