Stellar UK scope faces closure

摘要

Perched near the 4,200-metre summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the United Kingdom Infra-Red Telescope (UKIRT) enjoys one of the finest sites in all of astronomy. It was among the world's largest telescopes when it opened more than 30 years ago, and its enviable record of publications shows no signs of slowing. Yet on 30 May, the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) announced that it will close the 3.8-metre telescope in 2013, unless a buyer can be found.