However, Pparc has to make up a shortfall forcing a reappraisal of its activities. Insiders say that British astronomy has been overtaken by events in the past decade or so, particularly in regard to access to the world's largest optical telescopes, the so-called eight metre class scopes. British astronomers have access to two of them, the Gemini North and South telescopes built jointly with the United States, but this is not seen as sufficient. Meanwhile, the multinational ESO was building a suite of them in South America as were the Americans. The aim is to put British astronomy into a better position for the future.
Modern astronomy is expensive and international.
Pparc has already turned down Jodrell Bank's request for 8.6m for an upgrade of its Merlin array of telescopes. Without the upgrade, Merlin has a limited future. However, Jodrell Bank astronomers are confident that they can find the money for it from other sources. That will save 1.4 m a year. Since it was commisioned in 1974, the AAT has been a stalwart of British astronomy and, although it is an excellent telescope with excellent facilities, it has been superseded by others.