PLEASE HELP. A petition has been set up at:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Physics-Funding/ (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Physics-Funding/)
From the BAA,
Astronomy is a subject close to my heart and to yours no doubt. You may
therefore be alarmed to hear that its future here in the UK is under threat
owing to recent announcements by the government. In particular, there have
been dramatic developments within the Science and Technology Facilities
Council or STFC: the research council that funds astronomy research in the
UK. What seems to have happened is a fundamental shift in what the Council
and the government see as research priorities, with severe cuts planned in
research areas such as Astronomy and Particle Physics.
These cuts will lead to the closure of / withdrawal from a large number of
major telescope facilities. In the area of ground-based astronomy,
withdrawal from the Isaac Newton Telescope Group on La Palma, and from
Gemini South are pretty much decided, but Gemini North, UKIRT, and the
Liverpool Telescope in Hawaii are also under threat (we have already pulled
out of the Anglo-Australian Telescope). This will be accompanied by cuts in
research grants to universities which use these facilities. Likewise, Solar
Physics and Space Astronomy will be hit. In short, astronomy research in
the UK, currently amongst the best in the world, will really suffer.
All of this came with little warning, and with little consultation with the
research community, and at a time when the government is concerned about the
number of students taking up science topics in schools and at universities.
PLEASE HELP. A petition has been set up at:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Physics-Funding/ (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Physics-Funding/)
which states, "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reverse the
decision to cut vital UK contributions to Particle Physics and Astronomy."
If you wish to offer your support, and have not done so already, you may add
your name to this fast-growing petition by going to the above web address
and following the directions on signing the petition.
In my view, this is the most serious threat to UK Astronomy in decades and
so any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Richard Miles
Vice-President
------------------
N.B. Background information is available at various websites including:
* STFC's decision to withdraw from Gemini:
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Strat/Council/gemini.aspx (http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Strat/Council/gemini.aspx)
* STFC's delivery plan 2008/9-2011/12 (see p.6 for the plans in Astronomy):
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Strat/Council/STFC_DelPLan.aspx (http://www.stfc.ac.uk/About/Strat/Council/STFC_DelPLan.aspx)
* A BBC article on the STFC funding crisis:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7137387.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7137387.stm)
* RAS 'dismay' at deep cuts in UK Astronomy research:
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1369&Itemid=2 (http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1369&Itemid=2)
* UK pulls out of key physics and astronomy projects (New Scientist):
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn13045-uk-pulls-out-of-key-physics-and-a
stronomy-projects.html?feedId=online-news_rss20 (http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn13045-uk-pulls-out-of-key-physics-and-a%3Cbr%20/%3Estronomy-projects.html?feedId=online-news_rss20)
* Physics and astronomy research face "catastrophic" cuts (Nature):
http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071211/full/news.2007.366.html (http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071211/full/news.2007.366.html)
* Science council struggles with cuts (Guardian Education):
http://education.guardian.co.uk/businessofresearch/story/0,,2226336,00.html?gus
rc=rss&feed=8 (http://education.guardian.co.uk/businessofresearch/story/0,,2226336,00.html?gus%3Cbr%20/%3Erc=rss&feed=8)
* Listen to Radio 4's Today program with James Naughtie broadcast on
December 14:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/ram/today3_physics_20071214.ram (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/ram/today3_physics_20071214.ram)
* Times Higher Educational Supplement:
http://www.thes.co.uk/search/story.aspx?story_id=2039500 (http://www.thes.co.uk/search/story.aspx?story_id=2039500)
Deja vu ! :o
It also might help if you write to your MPs too. I have done so and recieved a personal reply. Seemed very interested in taking up cause and says he will be in touch again.
This web site Rachel refered to at the last meeting makes it really easy to do:
www.writetothem.com
Just received this response re. the petition about science funding -
You may wish to know that the STFC issued a statement on its funding plans
today - you can read the statement on the STFC website by going to:
http://www.scitech.ac.uk/PMC/PRel/STFC/CouncilPR010208.aspx
It appears STFC are negotiating a "reduction" of their investment in Gemini :-?
Received an updated response from No.10 about the funding argument.
http://www.pm.gov.uk:80/output/Page15216.asp
Somebody somewhere seems to be telling porkies :-?
certainly doesn't look like they're talking about the same issue does it :(
Still, the govmint says it ok, so it must be ok...