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	Budget Calls for Blue Ribbon Panel on Astronomy By Stew Magnuson Spacenews.com Staff Writer posted: 02:27 pm ET 28 February 2001

WASHINGTON The budget released by the administration of U

WASHINGTON -- The budget released by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush Feb. 28 calls for a Blue Ribbon Panel to study combining space-based and ground-based astronomy programs.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) traditionally has funded ground-based astronomy, while NASA has funded space-based programs. Ninety percent of federal funds for astronomy projects come from the two agencies, according to the budget.

"NSF and NASA will establish a Blue Ribbon Panel to assess the organizational effectiveness of federal support of astronomical sciences and, specifically the pros and cons of transferring NSFs astronomy responsibilities to NASA," the budget proposal said.

The assessment will be completed by Sept. 1, 2001.

Mary Hanson, spokeswoman for the National Science Foundation, said the idea of combining the programs have been discussed for years.

"We will cooperate fully in that [study]," Hanson said, but added that the foundation would have no further comment on the Blue Ribbon Panel.

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