JODRELL BANK SAVED FROM THE AXE?
Jodrell Bank appears to have been saved from the axe.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council has announced a £1.975 billion budget programme which includes the funding of the e-Merlin project at the Cheshire observatory.
This is the statement from the STFC:
"STFC confirmed its intention to contribute to the operating costs for the eMerlin radio-astronomy facility.
"STFC is working with the University of Manchester and other stakeholders to find a viable way in which eMerlin operations can be supported on a shared cost basis.
"Together with STFC’s investment in development for the next generation facility in radio astronomy, the Square Kilometre Array led by the University of Manchester, this should secure the future for the famous Jodrell Bank Observatory."
The announcement follows a three month consultation period.
Everyone from students to politicians joined the fight to save the famous site in Lower Withington.
MP for Macclesfield Sir Nicholas Winterton expressed his concern in the Houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, the famous astronomer Sir Patrick Moore told Silk FM he feared it would signal the end of the UK as a pioneer in world astronomy.
Silk FM released a charity single titled the "Jodrell Bank Song" in a bid to raise awareness of the situation.
