Astronomers are sounding the alarm as Mexico's renowned astronomical facility, the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT), faces a looming funding cutoff. Without renewed support from the government, the telescope's operations will cease by 31 August, according to recent appeals by researchers to senior officials.
In a letter dated 19 March addressed to Mexico's finance secretary, Rogelio Ramírez de la O., LMT Director David Hughes and five other researchers emphasized the urgent need to secure funding to ensure the continuation of a flagship project of Mexican science.
Perched atop a dormant volcano at an altitude of 4600 meters in southern Mexico, the LMT stands as the world's largest single-dish steerable telescope, specializing in observing radio signals at millimeter wavelengths. Jointly built by Mexico and the University of Massachusetts (UMass), the telescope achieved first light in 2011. Notably, it played a pivotal role in the creation of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), contributing to the groundbreaking capture of the first image of a black hole in 2019.
Initially, the Mexican government pledged $9 million over three years in 2018 to cover the country's share of the telescope's operating costs, sourced from a scientific research trust fund. However, restructuring of trust funds in 2020 introduced uncertainty regarding future funding for the LMT.
Despite efforts to manage funds efficiently, LMT officials warn that the telescope's financial resources will soon be depleted, posing a threat to its continued operation and scientific contributions. F. Peter Schloerb, director of UMass Amherst's office overseeing the telescope, stresses the importance of securing funding to maintain the instrument, likening the situation to investing in a building without leasing any units.
In addition to jeopardizing scientific progress, a funding shortfall would jeopardize the livelihoods of approximately 50 technicians and scientists employed at the LMT. Physicist Julia Tagüeña of Mexico's National Autonomous University underscores the need for a reliable funding mechanism, proposing a budget increase for Mexico's National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics, which co-manages the LMT with UMass.
The appeals to fund the telescope have garnered support from over 1300 individuals, but the government's response remains uncertain. While a spokesperson for the finance ministry declined to comment, Mexico's National Council of Science and Technology did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite the challenges, Schloerb remains hopeful, citing Mexico's history of overcoming obstacles to support the LMT.
