Thursday July 30th 2026
I wasn't sure what to put in this first blog as I suddenly wondered why I was doing this! But in the end it's going to be a place that I'll muse about a whole range of things, not just astronomical or butterflies but you can bet I will come up with something to say on occasions about them. Some will be reviews some will be general observations.
However, this first one is just a general hello and a ramble. Or so I thought.
Then the news hit about Jodrell Bank possibly closing as funding is being cut. Not just to JB but across the board, science is in effect under attack. It seems the anti-science brigade and malaise from the US administration is seeping into our own UK political landscape too.
And it's utterly stupid!
Science effectively gives us everything in one way or another, from food technology to the way we communicate, to how we fly, to how we interact with everyone around us via smart phones/tablets/computers and lots more, you get my drift.
Quite often breakthroughs come from the most unexpected research - often from such research that isn't done to produce a profit but simply to advance our knowledge and understanding of the world and universe around us.
To ignore scientific endeavours and cut them back is a sign of a society in decline.
Places like JB provide inspiration to up and coming young scientists in a wide range of disciplines and not just the astronomy but some marvel at the sheer scale of the engineering needed to build and maintain the large radio telescopes, some are inspired by the computers that analyse the data being collected or how the telescope is controlled. Some are inspired by the software needed etc. All this leads to our next generation of engineers, scientists, mathematical geniuses and software engineers.
But other aspects are just as important.
Someone has to clean the establishment, someone has to cater for the staff, etc.
I always became annoyed when I was employed by Marks and Spencer, firstly as a warehouseman then as a sales floor worker by peoples attitude to such work. If we didn't have such people then where would you get your shopping?
So I guess my point is that in our so called civilised, tech driven society, scientists are as important as a cleaner, as a school teacher, etc and vice-versa.
We need to do all of it, if we are to continue our civilisation.
So fund JB and science as quite often the price of not doing so leads to stagnation and collapse.
Or have I been watching too many apocalyptical films/TV series 😁
Here's a link to the petition to save Jodrell Bank and I hope you sign it:
Quick update as JB will remain in operation but some funding will have to be negotiated to ensure its long term future.
Until next time, keep looking up!
Paul