Dear Fellow,

You will no doubt be aware of the precarious funding position the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) finds itself in.

The RAS has already written a letter supporting the efforts of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) to ensure that funding for JWST continues (see http://www.ras.org.uk/images/stories/ras_pdfs/Policy%20Papers/Elmegreen.pdf).

To show grass roots support for JWST Monica Tosi, Senior Astronomer at INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Bologna, has drafted a letter/ petition to John Holdren, White House Science Adviser which can be found at http://goo.gl/mvaOQ. I encourage you to read this and consider adding your name.

If you would like more information on the status of JWST’s funding see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14629938
and
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110822/full/476379a.html

Best wishes

Professor Roger Davies

President, RAS