Possible closure of AuroraWatch

Hi everyone, I thought that perhaps you would want to reply to this:

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Dear AuroraWatch subscribers

Recently, the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)
reviewed its policy in respect of UK solar-terrestrial physics
funding. PPARC has decided that it will "maintain a presence in
ground-based solar-terrestrial physics" but "withdraw earlier [than
planned] from ... a number of solar-terrestrial physics facilities."

As a result, as of April 2007, the UK sub-auroral magnetometer network
(SAMNET) will no longer be funded as a UK national facility. PPARC
has suggested that the Lancaster University SAMNET team apply for
alternative support, but future funding is by no means guaranteed.

Clearly, if SAMNET closes down the AuroraWatch service will cease to
operate entirely. Over the next few weeks, the Lancaster team will be
making the case to try and reverse PPARC's decision to stop funding
SAMNET as a UK national facility. In this crucial period, messages of
support from AuroraWatch subscribers could make a very real difference
to our case!

If you would like to show your support for the AuroraWatch service,
please send an email to me ) indicating
why you
do not wish the SAMNET and AuroraWatch service to be discontinued. I
will then collate the responses and forward them to PPARC. It does
not need to be a lengthy email - a short message will make more impact
than no message at all! However, when composing your message you
might consider mentioning some/all of the following points:

- how long you have been an AuroraWatch subscriber

- the basis of your interest in the aurora (e.g. school pupil/student,
teacher, amateur astronomer, radio amateur, interested member of the
public)

- whether you have ever seen the Aurora as a result of an AuroraWatch
alert


It is also vitally important to give your name and geographic location
(i.e. county)

Please contact me if you have any questions or require further
guidance - every message counts!


Finally, it has probably been some time since you last received an
AuroraWatch alert, but this doesn't mean that the AuroraWatch service
is not working! SAMNET is automatically searching for auroral
activity over the UK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, the Sun
is currently approaching the quietest part of its 11 year activity
cycle. Over the next couple of years, solar activity will begin to
pick up again, increasing the likelihood of aurora over the UK. If
you would like AuroraWatch to be operating during this period of
increased auroral activity, please support us by responding to this
message!


Best regards,

Dr Jim Wild

(and on behalf of the SAMNET/AuroraWatch team)