DDO debate

It was announced in the last week or so that the David Dunlap Observatory is going to be closed or shut down by the University of Toronto. But, they say, they will continue to support astronomy and cosmology by creating the David Dunlap Institute.

This has incited many individuals to mount campaigns. Many want to save the DDO and suggest it still has value as a research facility. U of T says it is old, does not contribute to the scientific community, and is very expensive ($800 000 per annum) to operate. Other people have suggested that while it may not be current scientifically, it is historically significant and should be preserved as part of our Canadian heritage to astronomy. Still others offer that as a green space, the property must be kept and not given up for condos.

A complex issue... I hope cooler heads will prevail. A lot of data must be gathered before anyone can make an informed decision.