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Arecibo Observatory Loses Funding

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-sad dept.

An anonymous reader noted that "The Arecibo Observatory funding was slashed. Cut to $8 million from $10.5 million, which will decrease the amount of time that the telescope is operational. "A quarter of its staff was laid off last year," and Arecibo, which is located in Puerto Rico, could possibly be completely closed in four years, according to the "National Science Foundation (NSF), which pays for the operation of the telescope." This comes after "a review panel for the foundation's astronomy division two years ago" suggested cutting Arecibo's financing by 25 percent as a way to pay for new facilities. There has been "[a]n outcry" in response to the "decision, particularly from planetary scientists" who argued that the panel "overlooked Arecibo's role in cataloging potential dangers from asteroids." The Times notes that in Arecibo's favor is the fact that it "may be much cheaper to keep...open" than dismantle, which "could cost hundreds of millions of dollars."" I've been considering a vacation to PR for a few years, and seeing this thing is on my list of awesome things to try to see. Guess I should hurry ;)

4 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Don't blame Iraq by Shivetya · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    the NSF has over SIX BILLION dollars in its budget.

    Iraq has nothing to do with it, raising that as an issue is just beyond ignorant.

    Let that horse die.

    Now as for the telescope, it would be nice to see the whole list of what NSF decided to fund

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  2. "Bush administration is ruining science!" - morons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Yes lets continue to dump money into an aging system instead of developing a new one. Stop being nostalgic about a lab instrument you idiots, this isn't about religious freaks its about phasing out old equipment.

  3. Break a few eggs by scubamage · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Yep, this sucks, but at least the money is being used on important stuff, like making sure Bush and Cheney don't go homeless. And to make sure we can keep spending 80 billion a year on Iraq. And spending more than 5 billion a year to fund Haliburton in Iraq (without any government auditing). I mean, really, who cares about science when TERRORISTS ARE OUT TO GET US!!!!

  4. Re:It is one of the greatest technological wonders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Welfare. Entitlements.

    Pay for science or pay for people who won't pay for themselves. You choose.