US Astronomy Facing Severe Budget Cuts and Facility Closures

The US astronomy budget is facing unprecedented cuts with potential closures of several facilities. A new report by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Astronomical Sciences says that available funding for ground-based astronomy could undershoot projected budgets by as much as 50%. The report recommends the closure – called “divestment” in the new document — of iconic facilities such as the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) and the Green Bank Radio Telescope, as well as shutting down four different telescopes at the Kitt Peak Observatory by 2017. [emphasis mine]

                Oh no, not the VBLA!

But wait, we couldn't possibly deprive the super rich of a few yachts and private jets. Naah, that's not important compared to astronomy.

Tags: telescope closures

Views: 29

Replies to This Discussion

That's sad news for me. I support the space program - its basically gone now.
Also, guess all of those trillions spent on police actions in Iraq and Afghanistan could have funded astronomy into the next millennium.

Very sad news.

RSS

CONNECT WITH ATHEIST NEXUS

Latest Activity

Debra Stevenson commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"Yes, not everyone thanks a deity for their survival and nobody should thank their god for a vicious tornado that wiped out so much of what people owned and even took lives, especially the lives of innocent children.    Brandi Amari Williams"
1 hour ago
Joan Denoo commented on Joan Denoo's album
Thumbnail

Tunisian women

"Tunisian women, dressed in traditional styles protest "
1 hour ago
sk8eycat commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"Tony, I love that clip! "Wolf Gets Blitzed"...tee-hee.  Did anyone read the comments below the You Tube version?  they were almost all like, "Yeah, thank the lard for sending a ghastly tornado to kill more than 50…"
2 hours ago
Profile IconParis Mallon, Akron SSA and Marisa Goode joined Atheist Nexus
2 hours ago
The Flying Atheist commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"Great clip, Tony.  People need to realize that not everybody superfluously and automatically thanks god in a time of crisis.  Maybe he's learned a lesson and become a smarter man. "
3 hours ago
Natalie A Sera commented on Dallas the Phallus's group LINGUAPHILES & SESQUIPEDALIANS
"And then, just to confuse things, there's polymath, which is from the Greek poly = much and manthanein = to learn. So, someone who knows a lot. Or at least enough to know that you can get a second crop from that field! Sorry, couldn't…"
3 hours ago
Patricia commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"Yaaaay Joan!!! Yaaaay here too.....our exterior renos start Wednesday!!!!"
3 hours ago
Tony Carroll commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"           Wolf Blitzer. Open mouth, insert foot. LOL!!!"
3 hours ago

Photos

Loading…
  • Add Photos
  • View All

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service