A Hazy Future for a Jewel of Space Instruments
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/science/space/20scop.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
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- covelogibbs
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The next time an unexpected comet shows up in the inner solar system, Amy J. Lovell may not get time at the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico to observe it before it swings back out.
With a quarter of its annual budget slashed, to $8 million from $10.5 million, Arecibo will be listening to the universe less often in the coming years. For researchers like Dr. Lovell, a professor of astronomy at Agnes Scott College in Georgia, that may mean her work detecting radio waves emitted by ions from busted-up water molecules will take years longer to complete.
Im prepared to live with that, she said.
More alarming would be the closing of Arecibo in four years, a possibility that has been raised by the National Science Foundation, which pays for the operation of the telescope. Then Im completely up the creek without a paddle, Dr. Lovell said.
With a quarter of its annual budget slashed, to $8 million from $10.5 million, Arecibo will be listening to the universe less often in the coming years. For researchers like Dr. Lovell, a professor of astronomy at Agnes Scott College in Georgia, that may mean her work detecting radio waves emitted by ions from busted-up water molecules will take years longer to complete.
Im prepared to live with that, she said.
More alarming would be the closing of Arecibo in four years, a possibility that has been raised by the National Science Foundation, which pays for the operation of the telescope. Then Im completely up the creek without a paddle, Dr. Lovell said.
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TheRealEdwin
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My grandparents live not too far from Arecibo and I've been lucky to visit the place many times while growing up. This is one of the places to visit before you die without a doubt.
- 4 years ago
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TheRealEdwin
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critter
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It's hard to do a little scientific research when you've got wars and other countries to run. It's all for the best however since history always shows that war and territorialism are more beneficial to man than science anyway. Who needs rocks in space when I can blast holes through mud huts and peace treaties...
Check this link for a story on the Brit govmt ending funding for the world's largest telescopes despite having spent 35 million to build them.
- 4 years ago
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critter
