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Extended Forecast

President's '04 Budget:
Foundry in, 88-inch out

It's still early, and President Bush's budget proposal for FY04 is only on paper right now. But in it, the prospects for Berkeley Lab are mixed. A mostly flat overall science budget announced yesterday includes welcomed funding for beginning construction of a new Molecular Foundry nanoscience building. But the plan also includes the recommended termination of the venerable 88-inch cyclotron.

Laboratory officials described the cyclotron news as "very disappointing" and unexpected. In the coming days, senior administrators will attempt to determine the reasons for such a decision. In the meantime, one of the few vestiges of the Laboratory's illustrious accelerator history faces an uncertain future. Full story.

Our Galaxy's
Next Supernova?

Astronomers have identified the best candidate yet for our galaxy'snext supernova explosion, according to a new report. Findings published in the February 1 issue of the Astrophysical Journal suggest that Rho Cassiopeiae, located 10,000 light-years away from earth, is most likely to run out of fuel and meet a violent fate in the near future.
Full story.

Energy Numbers Include
$3.3 Billion for Science

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham yesterday released the Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2004 budget request to Congress, calling it a "good reflection on the Energy Department, its programs and its people." Abraham said that the $23.4 billion budget ($3.3 billion for science) demonstrates that the Administration and the Congress recognize the critical contribution the department makes to a peaceful and prosperous future by helping to secure our national security, our energy security, and our position as the world leader in science and technology. Full story.