World Observatories: in Order to Carry Out New Observations, Modern

question 142

Essay

World Observatories: In order to carry out new observations, modern astronomy requires access to highly specialized telescopes and instruments, be it telescopes in space such as the HST, or large collections of linked radio telescopes like the VLA. These facilities are so expensive to construct and maintain that we are entering an age in which only a single facility for each type of instrument will exist to serve the entire world. What do you think the impact of having only "world observatories" will be on the science of astronomy? Will it influence the scientific process? Should taxpayers be more willing to fund sciences like astronomy in order to avoid this situation?

---

Definitions:

Selling

The process of promoting and transferring goods or services to a buyer in exchange for money.

Contribution Margin Ratio

The percentage of each dollar of sales that is available to apply to fixed costs and contribute to net income; calculated as unit contribution margin divided by unit selling price.

Unit Contribution Margin

The amount of revenue remaining per unit after deducting variable costs; calculated as unit selling price minus unit variable costs.

Unit Sales Price

The amount that a business charges for one unit of its product or service.