RAS Discussion Meeting: The European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the Development of the Future UK Astronomy Programme

Ref. PN 00/12

Issued by:

Peter Bond,
RAS Press Officer (Space Science).
10 Harrier Close,
Cranleigh,
Surrey,
GU6 7BS.
Phone: +44 (0)1483-268672
Fax: +44 (0)1483-274047
Mobile phone: 0411 213486
E-mail: 100604.1111@compuserve.com

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FOR CONTACT DETAILS AND FURTHER INFORMATION SEE
THE END OF THIS RELEASE.
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The way forward for the UK Astronomy Programme will be the subject of an Open Discussion Meeting organised by the Royal
Astronomical Society.

A number of leading UK astronomers will present their views on the current state of UK astronomy research and future prospects, with
particular reference to possible UK membership of the European Southern Observatory and its ramifications for the entire UK
astronomy community.

Media representatives are welcome to attend.

Most speakers are expected to be available for interview during the lunch break, immediately after the meeting, or by prior
arrangement. (On the day of the meeting, please use Peter Bond’s mobile phone number, 0411 213486)

The RAS Meeting has been organised prior to the debate on the future of UK astronomy by the Astronomy Committee of the Particle
Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) that is scheduled for 29 June.

PROGRAMME:

Registration (free) and a light sandwich lunch from 13.00.

The meeting will be chaired by the RAS President, Professor Nigel Weiss.

Speakers will include:

Professor Eric Priest (St. Andrews University) – Introduction.

Professor Mike Edmunds (University of Cardiff) – The Case for Joining ESO.

Dr. Ian Corbett (PPARC) – Financial Options for the Future Astronomy Programme.

Professor Phil Charles (University of Southampton) – The Future Development of the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.

Dr. Peter Wilkinson (Jodrell Bank) – The Future Development of Merlin.

Professor John Peacock (University of Edinburgh) – The Future Development of the Angle-Australian Observatory.

At the end of the presentations there will be an open discussion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Professor Nigel Weiss,
Dept. of Applied Maths & Theoretical Physics, Silver Street,
Cambridge,
CB3 9EW
Tel: +44 (0)1223-337910
Fax: +44 (0)1223-337918
E-mail: now@damtp.cam.ac.uk

Professor Eric Priest,
Mathematics & Computational Sciences Dept.,
University of St. Andrews,
Fife,
KY16 9SS
Tel: +44 (0)1334-463709
Fax: +44 (0)1334-463748
E-mail: eric@dcs.st-and.ac.uk

Professor Mike Edmunds,
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy,
Cardiff University,
P.O. Box 913,
Cardiff
CF2 3YB
Tel: +44 (0)2920-874458
Fax: +44 (0)2920-874056
E-mail: mge@astro.cf.ac.uk

FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION on the debate, refer to a circular from Professor Eric Priest on the RAS website:
http://www.ras.org.uk/whatsnew.htm