Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 11 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 February 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 26 February 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on arrangements that have been made for observational data obtained for other purposes by wide-field facilities to be searched for near earth objects on a nightly basis.

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on arrangements that have been made for observational data obtained for other purposes by wide-field facilities to be searched for near earth objects on a nightly basis. [155370] Ms Hewitt: The two main new wide-field survey facilities (ESO VISTA in Chile and the WFCAM instrument facility in Hawaii) are currently under construction and plans for their observing programmes are under discussion between PPARC (Particle Physic and Astronomy Research Council) and its partners. In order to undertake routine examination in near real time of the data stream from these facilities, a dedicated software suite would be required. There are no resources available to provide such a capability. Nevertheless, observing programme managers will exchange information on targets of opportunity, such as Near Earth Objects, on a best efforts basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c494W;418 c514W; 155370
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Research Astronomy Optical equipment Natural disasters Astrophysics
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk