9:53am Tuesday 7th October 2008
JODRELL Bank’s future is now looking brighter thanks to funding secured from science officials.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council has agreed to contribute part of the costs of the e-Merlin radio telescope array until at least 2010.
But Dr Tim O’Brien, head of outreach at Jodrell Bank, said plans to save the observatory were not yet finalised.
He said: “We’re pleased that they’ve recognised the scientific importance of e-Merlin and discussions are ongoing.”
In March, Jodrell Bank and its iconic Lovell Telescope looked doomed after officials planned to withdraw funding for e-Merlin, which is used for much of the observatory’s astrological research.
But an outcry from the public and science community made them reconsider.
Liberal Democrat parliamentary hopeful Dr Jo Crotty added: “Cheshire’s excellent science facilities at Jodrell Bank and Daresbury are critical, both for the north west economy and for the example to our children of world-class scientific research being done here in our area.”
In July, the council released a statement about its plans, which earmarked £1.9billion for funding UK science.
However, the council would not say how much it could provide for the e-Merlin.
This year, the e-Merlin is also set to be given an upgrade, which could make it the world’s most powerful radio telescope.
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