Gemini Funding Cut
If you are a UK citizen you should head over to Chris Lintott's blog where he informs us that the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC formerly PPARC and CCLRC) had decided to pull our funding of the Gemini telescopes. The plan aims to save £4 million a year due to lack of funding of STFC despite the fact that we've spent £23 million getting the Gemini telescopes going. The result is that UK astronomers would not have much access to major research facilities in the northern hemisphere. This is not a good thing and makes me wonder if other facilities will be cut. If you care about the UK keeping involved at the forefront of astronomy, you could write to your local MP and suggest better funding for STFC.
Comments: Gemini Funding Cut
This obviously is very worrying, but only the first sign of a big problem. I have just written a post that gives the overall funding numbers for the various research councils. I think STFC have handled this pretty badly, but they are in a deep hole. So if you write to your MP, don't forget to mention what a raw deal the brand new research council has got...
Posted by Andy Lawrence on Sunday 18th Nov 2007 (20:45 UTC)