[meteorite-list] Possible reduction or closings on Kitt Peak

[Richard A. Kowalski]

Due to budget issues, there is a possibility of facilities closing on 
Kitt Peak.

 From the October issue of NOAO Currents

"Dire Budget Projections from NSF AST: Your Input Needed

In his presentation to the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory 
Committee, NSF AST Director Jim Ulvestad provided guidance on the NSF 
MPS Astronomy (AST) budget projections that can only be described as 
dire. The signals from NSF AST imply that some existing facilities will 
be closed and some popular programs eliminated as a result of budget 
pressures, significantly altering the landscape of ground-based astronomy.

The possibility of drastic changes calls for careful planning and 
consultation with the community so that US ground-based OIR astronomy 
emerges stronger rather than crippled by this process. Please read the 
following and join a discussion on how we as a community can best meet 
these budgetary challenges."

If you are a current or future user of the facilities on Kitt Peak, 
please read the page linked below, and provide input in support of 
keeping Kitt Peak open and operating. This must be submitted BEFORE the 
end of THIS week.

http://www.noao.edu/currents/201110.html

This isn't a call for the general public to provide input, but I'm sure 
that informed public support will be appreciated.

If some of you working on the mountain currently are able to shed some 
more light on this, please do.



-- 
Richard A. Kowalski
Senior Research Specialist
Catalina Sky Survey
Lunar & Planetary Laboratory
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona