£1.9 billion unveiled for science
£1.9 billion unveiled for science
2008-07-04Newsfeed
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has pledged to secure the future of the Jodrell Bank telescope in Cheshire as part of a £1.9 billion investment in research and development.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has pledged to secure the future of the Jodrell Bank telescope in Cheshire as part of a £1.9 billion investment in research and development.
The Government will contribute towards the running costs of the radio astronomy centre, but more cash will be needed to guarantee its survival.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) said they would work with the University of Manchester and other stakeholders to find a "viable way in which e-Merlin operations can be supported on a shared cost basis."
The e-Merlin project comprises two telescopes at Jodrell Bank, as well as dishes at Pickmere and Darnhall in Cheshire, Knockin in Shropshire, Defford in Worcestershire and one in Cambridge.
An £8 million upgrade of the network, connecting all the dishes with fibre optic cables as well as improving electronics and software is due to be completed next year.
In previous years Jodrell Bank received around £2.5 million a year of government funding, and any reduction could jeopardise its involvement in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project - whose headquarters are meant to be situated at the site.
The STFC announced a total science funding programme worth £1.9 billion, which they believe "will maintain UK scientific leadership in physics and astronomy and operate world-leading facilities for the benefit of UK scientists."
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
