Edinburgh Astronomy Technology Centre Crashes to Earth

12.00.00am GMT Mon 17th Dec 2007

South Edinburgh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh has called on the Government to ensure a secure future for Edinburgh's Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) at the Royal Observatory. It is feared that cuts to expenditure on astronomy and particle physics across the UK will mean that up to half the staff at the ATC could be out of work within three years.

On Tuesday 11 December the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) announced drastic cuts across a range of research programmes in particle physics, astronomy and astrophysics as a consequence of government decisions to focus on applied science at the expense of leading edge astronomy and particle physics. The cuts include UK withdrawal from the International Linear Collider and the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes. At the same time the STFC have announced that in their Delivery Plan to 2012 will "explore alternative options for running the UK Astronomy Technology Centre"

"It is no cliche that the Astronomy Technology Centre is a global centre of excellence in astronomical technology; based right here in Edinburgh" said Fred Mackintosh "The massive cuts to British Astronomy announced by STFC will rip the heart out of the Royal Observatory and astronomy in Edinburgh. The Labour Government must find the resources to make sure Britain continues to contribute to global astronomy and to maintain the ATC."

A major extension to the Astronomy Technology Centre was opened on 15 May 2005 by then First Minister Jack McConnell. The new facility is expected to build instruments for the James Webb Space Telescope which will replace the Hubble Space Telescope.

Local MSP Mike Pringle, said "I am very concerned at these cuts. I intend to take up the issue with the Scottish Government Enterprise Minister - Jim Mather - to ask him to step in and help put the case for the ATC and the fantastic work it does in Edinburgh."