Dunsink

Hi everyone.

As most of you know, there has been a threat to shut down Dunsink by the end of the year - despite Terry's comments in his email over the weekend, the threat is still very much there, and the warnings were certainly NOT premature. I can't go into much detail for the moment, until a full response can be formulated. Needless to say though, a few feathers have been ruffled within the upper echelons of DIAS, now that word has spread

Clear skies.

Brian

Is there anything we could do that would help ??

Brian,
an idea TAS has at the moment, is inviting some big buck down to Tullamore to give a talk in a hotel, hosted by TAS. Is there anyone you can think of, point me in the right direction to, or even pass on my request to, in Dunsink who might fit the bill (or would like to?).

It could be good publicity (on behalf of Dunsink more than TAS), as we have alot of media outlets down here to advertise for it.

Seanie.

Hi Dave and Seanie.

Dave - we're still putting together a formal response to all this, but we do need as much of an input as possible from the amateur community to help support our case. John Flannery has been helping to spread the word, so perhaps you could liase with him. I've given him contact details for Evert Meurs, the Director of Dunsink, plus Brian McBreen at UCD who is also leading the fight to save Dunsink - they would cerainly appreciate any help and input you or indeed any of the astronomical societies could give.

Seanie - that sounds like a good idea, it'll certainly help to spread the message to the general public. I would suggest you contact Evert Meurs to try to organise something - his email is ejam(at)dunsink.dias.ie.

Thanks for the support - it's very much appreciated!!!!

Clear skies.

Brian

How about getting school's involved? Perhaps setting up an outreach programme where an astronomer goes to a school and speaks to the students? We had Robert Hill of Armagh down in the school (Templeogue) last friday and he proved to be very popular with the students. They are interested. How about an open night for schools, where you send out invitations to, say, five schools (maybe twenty kids plus teachers per school) and then show them around. A lot of the Dublin-based people here would be happy to bring gear along and show kids various things.

You will get support here for whatever avenue you decide to head down Brian.

Thanks Brian, I'll give him an email and see how it goes. If you get any more news or ideas along these lines, let me know!


Seanie.