The Liverpool Astronomical Society Forum

Just read the BBC website ‘ Skies dim for UK Astronomers’  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7210342.stm

Basically, UK research money is being withdrawn from the Gemini telescope consortium resulting in UK astronomers being excluded from the use these telescopes. They are 8.1 metre telescopes, one each in the northern and southern hemispheres. My understanding is that while there are alternative telecopes in the southern hemisphere, the northern telescope is unique and no other alternative exists for UK astronomers.

Questions:
1.   Should this Society be lobbying Government for an increase in budget to allow UK Astronomers access to Gemini North? The Society’s aim ‘" To promote the science of Astronomy primarily in Liverpool and the neigbourhood thereof’ does not exclude this.

The Government after all has stated that it recognisies the benefits of science.

2.   Does anyone have a view on whether this is academic shroud waving? It appears genuine to me.

Regards

Brian