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(meteorobs) SPACEGUARD UK

I am forwarding this message to this list in case anyone is interested.







>Return-path: <cambridge-conference-request@liverpool-john-moores.acdot uk>
>Date: Wed, 09 Apr 1997 19:30:08 +0000 (GMT)
>From: JR Tate <fr77@dial.pipex.com>
>Subject: SPACEGUARD UK
>To: cambridge-conference@livjm.acdot uk
>Priority: Normal
>
>SPACEGUARD UK
>
>Introduction
>
>The threat posed to mankind by the impact of an asteroid or comet is now 
>widely recognised as one of the most significant risks to human civilisation, 
>yet there is no co-ordinated international effort to identify threatening 
>Near Earth Objects (NEO’s) or to deal with them once detected. The United 
>Kingdom has unique intellectual and physical resources that could put the 
>nation at the forefront of any international Planetary Defence programme. 
>Spaceguard UK is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of such a 
>programme, and UK participation therein.
>
>Over the past decade or so it has become apparent that asteroidal and 
>cometary impacts have played a dramatic, possibly leading role in the 
>development of this planet, and the evolution of life. Natural Science is in 
>the throes of a revolution in thinking, akin to that which occurred after the 
>publication of Charles Darwin’s "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural 
>Selection". With this understanding comes the realisation that there is no 
>reason to believe that this extraterrestrial influence is at an end, and the 
>possibility that a major impact could severely disrupt, or even destroy our 
>current way of life on a global scale is one to be considered seriously.
>
>As a result of this ongoing research there is a growing international 
>movement dedicated to quantifying and assessing the risk, and to determining 
>methods of avoiding threatening impacts. While the subject has traditionally 
>suffered from a great deal of scepticism this attitude is now generally seen 
>as archaic, and the matter has become one of serious research. The leading 
>institution involved internationally is the Rome based Spaceguard Foundation.
>  
>AIMS
>
>Spaceguard UK has been established to pursue the following aims:
>
>¨ 	To promote and encourage British activities involving the discovery 
>and follow-up observations of Near Earth Objects.
> 
>¨ 	To promote the study of the physical and dynamic properties of 
>asteroids and comets, with particular emphasis on Near Earth Objects.
> 
>¨ 	To promote the establishment of an international, ground based 
>surveillance network (the Spaceguard Project) for the discovery, observation 
>and follow-up study of Near Earth Objects.
> 
>¨ 	To provide a national United Kingdom information service to raise 
>public awareness of the Near Earth Object threat, and to increase confidence 
>in the technology available to predict and avoid dangerous impacts.
>
>AFFILIATION
>
>Spaceguard UK is affiliated with the international Spaceguard Foundation.  
>The Aims of Spaceguard UK are fully harmonised with those of the Foundation, 
>and the activities of Spaceguard UK are intended in no way to detract from 
>those of the Foundation; they are intended to support and complement them, 
>with a specific bias towards the situation as it pertains to the United 
>Kingdom. Details of the Spaceguard Foundation, its aims, by-laws and 
>membership can be obtained from The Spaceguard Foundation or from Spaceguard 
>UK.
>
>MEMBERSHIP
>
>Trustee Members
> 
>Trustee Members will be those individuals who have made outstanding 
>contributions in the field of NEO studies, or who have special qualifications 
>that enable them to significantly further the aims of Spaceguard UK. Trustee 
>Members will be invited to join Spaceguard UK. Dr Arthur C. Clarke, the 
>renowned author and scientist, and Dr Patrick Moore, the world famous 
>astronomer and author have both agreed to become Trustee Members of 
>Spaceguard UK.
> 
> 
>Associate Membership
> 
>Associate Members will be those currently involved in activities or studies 
>related to Planetary Defence, and who will form a core of multi-disciplinary 
>expertise in the subject. The role of the Associate Members will include the 
>provision of expert advice to the general membership, and to other bodies as 
>deemed necessary. Associate Anyone wishing to become an Associate Member is 
>invited to contact Spaceguard UK..  Amongst others the following British 
>scientists have already agreed to become Associate Members:
>
>Professor Mark Bailey		Director, the Armagh Observatory
>Dr Victor Clube 		Oxford University, author
>Dr Bob Matthews			Aston University, journalist
>Professor Tony McDonnell	University of Kent, Canterbury
>Dr Bill Napier 			Armagh Observatory, author.
>Dr Duncan Steel			Vice President of the Spaceguard Foundation
> 
>General Membership
>
>General Membership is open to any individual with an interest in the subject 
>of the NEO Impact Threat. Applicants are invited to contact Spaceguard UK 
>with a brief statement of their interest, and any relevant qualifications 
>that might be of use or interest to other members.
>
>Membership of the Spaceguard Foundation automatically entitles an individual 
>or organisation to membership of Spaceguard UK.
>
>ACTIVITIES
>
>Members of Spaceguard UK have already been active in promoting the assessment 
>of the UK’s contribution to the international NEO detection effort. The 
>recent, well publicised meeting at the British National Space Centre on 12th 
>November 1996 was precipitated by the activities of the organisation. The 
>subject of Planetary Defence has moved from the realm of a handful of experts 
>to the corridors of the House of Commons and the British media in less than 
>nine months.
>
>Spaceguard UK has so far established links with the following organisations: 
>
>· The Spaceguard Foundation,
>· Spaceguard Australia
>· Spaceguard Canada 
>· Spaceguard Japan
>· United States Air Force Space Command
>· Oxford University
>· University of Kent, Canterbury
>· Spacewatch, University of Arizona
>· British National Space Centre
>· Royal Greenwich Observatory
>· Armagh Observatory
>· Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
>· The Parliamentary Space Committee
>· The Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology 
>
>Current activities are concentrated on ensuring that the consensus achieved 
>at the BNSC meeting is transformed into meaningful action by the British 
>government and organisations world-wide. This will be achieved through 
>continued co-operation with the institutions listed above, an active and 
>ongoing press campaign and the dissemination of information to the general 
>public by physical and electronic means.
>
>For further information please contact:
>
>Spaceguard UK
>35 Pownall Road
>Larkhill, Salisbury
>Wiltshire   SP4 8LX
>
>Tel: 01980 653634
>E-Mail: fr77@dial.pipex.com
>
>The Spaceguard UK Home Page can be found at: http://ds.pipex.com/jay_tate/
>
>
>


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