Since the mid 1990s the issue of asteroid or comet impacts has become
one of the hottest science topics in the public domain. However, over
the past few years the public has often been given confusing and,
equally often, inaccurate information.

On 1 January 2002 the Comet and Asteroid Information Network (CAIN) will
become active. Co-ordinated by the Spaceguard Centre in Wales (the
International Spaceguard Information Centre), science centres around the
country are participating in the project. The aim is to provide timely,
accurate and unbiased information on the subject of Near Earth Objects,
the hazard posed to the Earth, the methods by which the risk can be
reduced and current space policy issues to the public, politicians,
decision makers and the media.

The Phase 1 Regional Centres are:

  • The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
  • The Eden Project
  • Glamorgan University
  • The Glasgow Science Centre
  • Herstmonceux Science Centre
  • Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre
  • Liverpool John Moores University
  • Roseland Observatory
  • Techniquest

    A full list, with contact details, can be found at Annex A.

    For Phase 2, the National Space Centre (Leicester) heads the list of
    institutions that have been invited to participate, and CAIN welcomes
    applications from science, educational and outreach organisations to
    join.

    The government (British National Space Centre) will shortly announce the
    identity of the new National NEO Information Centre. Although the new
    Centre will not be able to comment on a number of aspects of the NEO
    hazard (due to contractual obligations to the BNSC) it is hoped that
    there will be close co-operation between it and the well-established
    Spaceguard Centre (Spaceguard UK) and its extensive network of national
    and international contacts.

    Contact: 

    JR Tate, FRAS                     Tel:     01547 520247
The Spaceguard Centre             Fax:     01547 520247
Llanshay Lane                     Mobile:  07968 195625
Knighton, Powys                   E-Mail:  spaceguard@dial.pipex.com
LD7 1LW                           Website: http://www.spaceguarduk.com

    The Spaceguard Centre supported by NewHert Ltd. Internet services
    provided by PerfectArc Ltd.

    Annex A

    CAIN

    REGIONAL CENTRE CONTACT DETAILS

    Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

    Professor ME Bailey
    Armagh Observatory
    College Hill
    Armagh
    BT61 9DG
    Northern Ireland
    Tel: 028 3752 2928
    meb@star.arm.ac.uk

    Herstmonceux Science Centre

    Dr John Becklake
    Herstmonceux Science Centre
    Herstmonceux Castle
    Hailsham
    East Sussex
    BN27 1RP
    Tel: 01323 832731
    Fax: 01323 832741
    hsc@pavilion.co.uk

    Glasgow Science Centre

    Mario DiMaggio
    Glasgow Science Centre
    50 Pacific Quay
    Glasgow
    G51 1EA
    Mario@dimaggio.org

    Liverpool JMU and Museum

    Dr Mike Simcoe, Dr Andy Newsam
    Astrophysics Research Institute
    Liverpool John Moores University
    Twelve Quays House
    Egerton Wharf
    Birkenhead
    L41 1LD
    Tel: 0151 231 2920
    mfb@staru1.livjm.ac.uk

    The Eden Project

    Dr A D (Tony) Kendle
    Eden Foundation
    Watering Lane Nursery
    Pentewan
    St Austell
    Cornwall
    PL26 6BE
    Tel: 01726 222900
    Fax: 01726 222901
    http://www.edenproject.com

    University of Glamorgan

    Dr Paul Roche
    Dept of Earth and Space Sciences
    School of Applied Sciences
    University of Glamorgan
    Trefforest
    CF37 1DL
    Tel: 01443 482785
    Fax: 01443 482285

    Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre

    Ian Morison
    Jodrell Bank Science Centre
    Lower Withington
    Macclesfield
    Cheshire
    SK11 9DL
    Tel: 01477 571321
    Fax: 01477571618
    agl@jb.man.ac.uk, im@jb.man.ac.uk

    Roseland Observatory

    Brian Sheen
    Roseland Observatory
    92 Par Green
    Par
    Cornwall
    PL24 2AG
    Tel: 01726 813602
    brian.sheen@virgin.net

    Techniquest

    Anita Shaw
    Techniquest
    Stuart Street
    Cardiff
    CF10 6BW
    Tel: 02920 475475
    Fax: 02920 482517
    http://www.tquest.org.uk/> as@techniquest.org