5 July 2008 38 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

The good folks over at SETI are asking for people to write their congressmen and women and urge them to support two potential funding bills (Senate Bill S. 2862 & House Resolution H.R. 3737).  If these two funding bills are not passed the Arecibo will not have the resources it need to continue operations.

Besides gathering vast amounts of data for the SETI program, it also assists scientists in monitoring other atmospheric, planetary, astronomic conditions.  It also used for determining the trajectory of potential near earth asteroids.  According to SETI if the telescope were to shut down, it would not be until 2020 until we would have a new telescope that could offer the same performance level.

It seems like it is all to often these days that we learn of potential cut backs in our nations science programs.  Take a few moments to use the simple support letter generator that SETI has provided and write or email your congressman or woman.