[meteorite-list] Possible reduction or closings on Kitt Peak

From: Richard A. Kowalski <kowalski_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:44:08 -0700
Message-ID: <4ED400A8.5060605_at_lpl.arizona.edu>

Due to budget issues, there is a possibility of facilities closing on
Kitt Peak.

 From the October issue of NOAO Currents

"Dire Budget Projections from NSF AST: Your Input Needed

In his presentation to the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory
Committee, NSF AST Director Jim Ulvestad provided guidance on the NSF
MPS Astronomy (AST) budget projections that can only be described as
dire. The signals from NSF AST imply that some existing facilities will
be closed and some popular programs eliminated as a result of budget
pressures, significantly altering the landscape of ground-based astronomy.

The possibility of drastic changes calls for careful planning and
consultation with the community so that US ground-based OIR astronomy
emerges stronger rather than crippled by this process. Please read the
following and join a discussion on how we as a community can best meet
these budgetary challenges."

If you are a current or future user of the facilities on Kitt Peak,
please read the page linked below, and provide input in support of
keeping Kitt Peak open and operating. This must be submitted BEFORE the
end of THIS week.

http://www.noao.edu/currents/201110.html

This isn't a call for the general public to provide input, but I'm sure
that informed public support will be appreciated.

If some of you working on the mountain currently are able to shed some
more light on this, please do.

-- 
Richard A. Kowalski
Senior Research Specialist
Catalina Sky Survey
Lunar & Planetary Laboratory
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

Received on Mon 28 Nov 2011 04:44:08 PM PST