[meteorite-list] Arecibo Observatory Faces Job Cuts

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Nov 12 23:34:50 2006
Message-ID: <200611130434.UAA22193_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061111/NEWS01/611110325/1002

CU's Arecibo Observatory faces job cuts
By Tim Ashmore
The Ithaca Journal
November 11, 2006

Cornell University's Arecibo radio telescope and radar observatory could
be losing up to half its federal funding - about $4 million - a cut that
could mean job losses in both Ithaca and Puerto Rico, where the facility
is based.

A report issued by the Senior Review, an advisory committee for the
National Science Foundation (NSF), on Nov. 3 recommended that funding be
cut for Arecibo by 25 percent over the next three years. The Senior
Review also advised the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC)
to look for funding from outside partners to cover a 50 percent slash in
funding in 2011.

"Basically what's occurred over the last few years, according to
government agencies, is that there have been substantial tax cuts and
additional expenditures (such as the Iraq war) puts a strain on the
federal budget," said Joe Burns, Cornell's vice provost for physical
sciences and engineering.

The budget cuts that Arecibo faces led to changes in the way that the
telescope and radar will operate.

"Arecibo will be in more of a survey mode where it will survey the sky
rather than taking all of the individual investigations programs that it
has. This will allow us to operate with fewer staff," said Burns.

The Arecibo Observatory employs 150 workers in Puerto Rico and about a
dozen here in Ithaca. Many of those workers are in jeopardy of losing
their jobs as a result of less funding. According to Burns, 75 percent
of the current $12 million budget is allocated for salaries.

"It's very likely that Cornell employees will be laid off," said Burns.
"We have many people that can retire soon, and our hope is that they
take early retirement rather than force us to lay them off," he continued.

The likelihood of coming up with the much needed $4 million is very slim
according to Burns.

Cornell will go to NASA, which originally funded the construction of the
Arecibo Observatory 45 years ago, to seek funding. According to Burns, a
bill that Congress passed last year requires that NASA characterize
menacing asteroids that fly close to the Earth. Since Arecibo is
considered the world's leading radar in characterizing asteroids, NASA
may be interested in providing funding.

Cornell will also seek help from foreign countries with an interest in
keeping the Arecibo Observatory open. But according to Burns, foreign
countries have been able to use Arecibo free of cost for the last 45 years.

The Arecibo Observatory is not only home to an antennae with a diameter
of 1,000 feet, but also the Angel Ramos Foundation Visitor and
Educational Facility that attracts 100,000 visitors per year, as well as
250 scientists from 150 universities worldwide.
Received on Sun 12 Nov 2006 11:34:46 PM PST