CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s congressional delegation is fighting to save the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank.
Last week, a special review panel recommended the National Science Foundation de-fund the operation within five years, along with the Very Long Base Line Array.
Green Bank’s manager says that would be a serious blow to the world’s astronomers.
Astronomy Division Director Jim Ulvestad told The Associated Press no decisions have been made.
But on Wednesday, Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, and Rep. Nick Rahall expressed concern.
Rockefeller chairs the Senate committee that oversees the NSF and says he’ll fight to ensure the observatory survives well into the future.
He calls it a unique scientific asset used by hundreds of scientists, some 1,500 students and teachers, and more than 50,000 visitors each year.
