Comments on: Response to UK astronomy petition http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/ The Universe as seen from the perspective of an astronomical researcher, presenter and writer. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:41:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Yvonne http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-50917 Yvonne Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:29:24 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-50917 I didn't see the astronomy petition, but I did sign the particle physics funding one. Meanwhile, today's Astronomy Picture of the Day has a <a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080416.html" rel="nofollow">picture of the night sky as it should be</a>, if there wasn't light pollution from streetlights - maybe it's time to hassle the government about that issue again, as all the light pouring up into the sky is wasted energy, which is bad news from an environmental point of view. I wonder if there's a petition about it? I didn’t see the astronomy petition, but I did sign the particle physics funding one.

Meanwhile, today’s Astronomy Picture of the Day has a picture of the night sky as it should be, if there wasn’t light pollution from streetlights - maybe it’s time to hassle the government about that issue again, as all the light pouring up into the sky is wasted energy, which is bad news from an environmental point of view. I wonder if there’s a petition about it?

]]> By: madge http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38821 madge Fri, 08 Feb 2008 06:28:58 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38821 If The Government, as they say, want more kids to study science. Why are they cutting the science budget in this way? And the grants for higher education too? Astronomy must be one of the biggest ways to "turn kids on" to science. I know showing Saturn to my kids through our telescope had a profound affect on them. I was also dissappointed by the rehashed, un-updated email I received from Downing Street. I think it showed they really don't give this subject ANY priority. If The Government, as they say, want more kids to study science. Why are they cutting the science budget in this way? And the grants for higher education too? Astronomy must be one of the biggest ways to “turn kids on” to science. I know showing Saturn to my kids through our telescope had a profound affect on them.
I was also dissappointed by the rehashed, un-updated email I received from Downing Street. I think it showed they really don’t give this subject ANY priority.

]]> By: Philip http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38795 Philip Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:31:31 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38795 I notice the press release hadn't even been updated to mention they've pulled out of Gemini, as explained in an earlier release. Worrying stuff... http://www.scitech.ac.uk/PMC/PRel/STFC/Gemini-Update.aspx http://www.scitech.ac.uk/PMC/PRel/STFC/CouncilPR010208.aspx I notice the press release hadn’t even been updated to mention they’ve pulled out of Gemini, as explained in an earlier release. Worrying stuff…

http://www.scitech.ac.uk/PMC/PRel/STFC/Gemini-Update.aspx
http://www.scitech.ac.uk/PMC/PRel/STFC/CouncilPR010208.aspx

]]> By: Adam Primus http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38746 Adam Primus Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:01:54 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38746 My apologies; I meant, of course, Heather Couper. My apologies; I meant, of course, Heather Couper.

]]> By: Adam Primus http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38732 Adam Primus Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:44:12 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/07/response-to-uk-astronomy-petition/#comment-38732 Perhaps it's time to employ other tools in order to bring pressure to bear on the government, i.e. publicity, which politicians often fear (& react to) more than rational debate Drs Lintott & May, Sir Patrick, Helen Couper, Myleene Klass etc all have a public profile which could advance this issue - Would not such luminaries as Profs. Hawking & Penrose be sympathetic to such a cause? Look what a little publicity did for the GalaxyZoo! If you can get the popular media on your side, you have a powerful ally. Perhaps it’s time to employ other tools in order to bring pressure to bear on the government, i.e. publicity, which politicians often fear (& react to) more than rational debate
Drs Lintott & May, Sir Patrick, Helen Couper, Myleene Klass etc all have a public profile which could advance this issue - Would not such luminaries as Profs. Hawking & Penrose be sympathetic to such a cause? Look what a little publicity did for the GalaxyZoo!
If you can get the popular media on your side, you have a powerful ally.

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