News: Crisis at the Jodcast

Hi all. I thought I should let everyone know that the Jodcast is likely to be going through some difficult times soon as Nick's postdoc job is coming to an end. For his day job, Nick uses gravitational microlensing to detect extrasolar planets and was on the team that detected the 5.5 Earth mass planet back in 2006. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get any funding to continue his research despite all his attempts over the past few months.

As you might be aware, the Jodcast is run on less than a shoestring budget (quite literally we don't have enough money to buy a pair of shoe laces). It only continues through the time and dedication of those of us on the Jodcast team. Nick is a major part of that and, if he leaves, he is unlikely to be able to commit as much effort as he does now.

As we are just coming to terms with this sad news, we aren't sure what the result will be for the Jodcast. It is unlikely that the rest of us will be able to take over much of what Nick currently does, being stretched ourselves. At a minimum it is likely that we will have to axe the mid-month shows. Of course, nothing is certain but we'll try to keep you all informed if or when anything happens.

I'm really sad to hear that, but completely understand if you have to trim back the Jodcast.
If you have to cut parts out, please don't nix the interviews - they are the best part of the show.
We're pulling for you Nick!!!

I'm sure things will work out ;-)

It gets worse. I've just heard from Roy that his Postdoc position is coming to an end too and he will be taking up a new job in The Netherlands. Roy will continue to help out with the Jodcast when he can. Hopefully we'll be able to continue in this even more distributed form.

This is not good news. The Jodcast is an important resource, especially in the IYA. What message do we, as astronomers, send out to the general public at large if the Jodcast gets axed.

Jodcast is important on so many levels: it is accessible via many means; it is recordable so you can not only listen to it when and where you want, but also again and again (I have listeded to a number several times); It is accessible - you don't have to be a professional astronomer to understand it, but even experienced astronomers and scientists can get something out of it.

It would be a real shame to see it cut down.

Glad to hear you will still be around Roy, & Good Luck in your new job