Changes at the Gemini Observatory

[TomK]

All,

Firstly, Happy New Year everyone! Secondly, I do want to post something in the "UK Mauna Kea observatories under threat" thread (http://www.punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14519) but just haven't got my act together to do that yet. Will do because I said I would and don't like breaking promises.

Anyway, this is related to the observatory thread but since I don't think this'll get much attention in the local news, thought I'd mention that the UK has now pulled out of the Gemini Observatory and with that goes a significant part of its funding (25% or something close to that I believe).

I was at the Union Jack flag lowering ceremony there today and although this is a significant hit in funding for Gemini, and for all its employees, both local and international, they had smiles on their faces. Perhaps that was because they had finally got rid of the UK's extraordinary decisions on science funding and how to destroy their once proud reputation for funding and doing great science.

Anyway, I posted a couple of pictures on my own blog, and for anyone interested you can find them here:

http://apacificview.blogspot.com/2012/12...-time.html

There's more of this sort of thing coming in the next year or two unfortunately. It'll hit the local economy too but is unlikely to reported intelligently by the local rags. A few million dollars for the Big Island has just disappeared out of the door...

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[pahoated]

Definitely more cuts to basic science coming, for the US as well as the UK. The war in the 60's was between capitalism and communism (economic systems, not political systems). In the US, the war was declared "won" in the 80's. Since then, the US along with most of Europe has plunged deep into debt, essentially destroying the ideology behind pure capitalism. Meanwhile, the "defeated", mainly Russia and China backed away from pure communism and are now totalitarian socialist, with no debt and increasing assets. The US, Japan, UK, now Spain, Italy, Greece, are deep in debt and going deeper in debt, with Germany and France just barely keeping the European economy propped up.

http://www.debtbombshell.com/
UK Debt Bombshell

The UK has been more aggressive trying to cut spending by massively reducing their defense spending. The growing view is that basic science is a luxury that can no longer be afforded. Not long after Ronald Reagan stopped all federal funding of mental hospitals, he then went on to slash government funding of basic R&D (not military R&D). Scientists warned then that in 30 or 40 years, the US preeminence would be endangered. Well, it is a bit over 30 years and the US is falling behind in almost every area of science, especially biological and materials science. In the space program, the US is depending on the Russians for a taxi ride, can't really put together any comprehensive plan beyond the space station, and showing less and less financial ability to participate at all. This, while China is preparing for a permanent position on the Moon and the Russians have even announced a Moon program starting in 2017. Now, the US has 6 Republicans on the Science Committee that are Creationists. The chairman is a Christian Scientist and doesn't believe in vaccines or global warming. Let's see, they believe science is a lie and they will be making the votes affecting science. Let's see how that turns out.

http://gizmodo.com/5965947/the-new-head-...ience-much
The New Head of Congress’ Science and Tech Committee Sure Doesn’t Seem to Like Science Much

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04...37394.html
Paul Broun Expects To Remain On Science Committee After Calling Science 'Lies' From 'The Pit Of Hell'

Let's hear it for the Gipper and the Conservative Right-wing Republicans with their core essence-of-Reagan Tea Party.

"It was a majority decision to descend into the Dark Ages. Don't worry, be happy, bang on da drum all day!"

[Aaron S]

Australia's future participation in Gemini is a bit murky too..

http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/events.html