Astronomical Impact

The Royal Astronomical Society has called on its members to join in with this petition against Impact.

I guess this is unsurprising: Astronomy might be one of the tougher subjects to justify in terms of 'social and economic' impact. It highlights the need to think imaginatively about your impact - and also to think long term. And you don't much longer term than light years. Of course, if a metorite hits earth it'll be the biggest impact of all...

STFC Grant Funding Cut

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has announced a cut to grant funding. New grants will be issued only to October 2010 in the first instance. According to a press release the temporary measure has been implemented with immediate effect and will stay in place “pending the outcome of the prioritisation exercise” which will end in the New Year. However, there's no guarantee that funding will return to previous levels afterwards. STFC has fallen foul of the fall in the strength of the pound, as it is committed to international subscriptions to facilities abroad.
It has cut funding before; in 2007 it cut grants funding by 25%, to the consternation of the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society.