Astronomical figures

Bob · 13. May 2011, 10:11 AM

I always struggle to get some perspective on astronomical figures. So I was struck by this news item on the BBC about the funding shortfalls in astronomy, which have led the UK to pull out of their participation in major ground-based telescope projects in the northern hemisphere:

According to Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the president of the UK Institute of Physics, "It only takes £2-3m to keep several Northern Hemisphere telescopes operating. The amount seems to me remarkably little and I observed when we met with the select committee that it would be no more than a banker's bonus."

And quite a lot less than the going prices of Torres or Skype, for example...

wdhpr · 14. May 2011, 08:19 AM

Astronomical figures.
A very sunny outlook!

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/...-collides-sun/

13. May 2011, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 617	Astronomical figures - the small view? I always struggle to get some perspective on astronomical figures. So I was struck by this news item on the BBC about the funding shortfalls in astronomy, which have led the UK to pull out of their participation in major ground-based telescope projects in the northern hemisphere: According to Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the president of the UK Institute of Physics, "It only takes £2-3m to keep several Northern Hemisphere telescopes operating. The amount seems to me remarkably little and I observed when we met with the select committee that it would be no more than a banker's bonus." And quite a lot less than the going prices of Torres or Skype, for example... Last edited by Bob; 13. May 2011 at 10:24 AM.

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14. May 2011, 08:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
wdhpr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The north Coast Posts: 1,117	Astronomical figures. A very sunny outlook! http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/...-collides-sun/