Is it shortsighted to axe funding Jodrell Bank?

Question

A leading international observatory at risk, not to mention UK's prestige. Jodrell is at the forefront of this research, dare we risk not investing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7281176.stm

Answer 1

Considering its international reputation, the amount that has been spent on refurbishment recently (£8m) and the relatively small annual cost (£2.7m) it is absolutely crazy. But what do you expect from this bunch of politicians.

The money saved will no doubt go into their trough, to pay for taxis, takeaways etc.

Answer 2

Yes very short sighted,

Answer 3

lol nice pun

remind me how much the illegal invasion of iraq costs again?

In figures

$3 trillion

A conservative estimate of the true cost - to America alone - of Bush's Iraq adventure. The rest of the world, including Britain, will shoulder about the same amount again

scary!

Answer 4

It stands to reason I would have thought. Why would the government of this country want to fund a telescope pointed at them, They think we don`t know that they don`t live in this world. Besides they are so short sighted I would have thought they could do with one.

Answer 5

I think it's all a question of public awareness. Something transitory like the Olympics gets enormous funding because it's high profile but astronomy has a smaller appeal and therefore has to struggle. How different it would be if the SETI program suddenly bore fruit. I would think a lottery grant would be in order to save such a national monument.

Answer 6

If it was in Scotland it would be funded, but as it's in ENGLAND this government wont want to know.