The Lovell is a landmark Scientists at one of the world's most
advanced observatories are facing an uncertain future, with a
closure threat hanging over its flagship project. Jodrell Bank
in Cheshire, home of the landmark Lovell Telescope, is part of a
network of seven giant astronomy dishes in the eMerlin project.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is struggling to
finance it. A Jodrell Bank spokesman said it opposed any cut
backs and would push for eMerlin to keep its funding. The
project is at risk because the STFC has an £80m shortfall in its
budget; and an assessment panel has listed the project as a
"lower priority" for UK physics and astronomy. The issue is
still in the consultation stages, but closure of the project
could leave the University of Manchester-owned Jodrell Bank
little more than a study centre. Its scientists have been
working on the eMerlin project since 2002, at a cost of more
than £2m a year. It is the national facility for radio astronomy
and aims to improve links between t