The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) was one of a number of
research council
Research funding is a term generally covering any funding for scientific research, in the areas of natural science, technology, and social science. Different methods can be used to disburse funding, but the term often connotes funding obtained thr ...
s in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. It directed, coordinated and funded research in
particle physics
Particle physics or high energy physics is the study of fundamental particles and forces that constitute matter and radiation. The fundamental particles in the universe are classified in the Standard Model as fermions (matter particles) an ...
and
astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, g ...
for the people of the UK. Its head office was at Polaris House in
Swindon,
Wiltshire
Wiltshire (; abbreviated Wilts) is a historic and ceremonial county in South West England with an area of . It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset to the southwest, Somerset to the west, Hampshire to the southeast, Gloucestershire ...
, but it also operated three scientific sites: the
UK Astronomy Technology Centre
The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is based at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
The UK ATC designs, builds, develops, tests and manages major instrumentation ...
(UK ATC) in Edinburgh, the
Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes
The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes or ING consists of three optical telescopes: the William Herschel Telescope, the Isaac Newton Telescope, and the Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope, operated by a collaboration between the UK Science and Technology Fa ...
(ING) in La Palma and the
Joint Astronomy Centre (JAC) in Hawaii. It published the ''Frontiers'' magazine three times a year, containing news and highlights of the research and outreach programmes it supports.
The PPARC was formed in April 1994 when the
Science and Engineering Research Council
The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) and its predecessor the Science Research Council (SRC) were the UK agencies in charge of publicly funded scientific and engineering research activities, including astronomy, biotechnology and bi ...
was split into several organizations; other products of the split included the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). In April 2007, it merged with the
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) was a UK government body that carried out civil research in science and engineering.
On 1 April 2007 CCLRC merged with PPARC to form the Science and Technology Facilities Co ...
(CCLRC) and the
nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions, in addition to the study of other forms of nuclear matter.
Nuclear physics should not be confused with atomic physics, which studies the ...
portion of the EPSRC to form the new
Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a United Kingdom government agency that carries out research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astro ...
(STFC).
''Frontiers'' magazine
PPARC previously published a magazine called ''Frontiers'', .
[Past issue, volume 14, Autumn 2002.]
See also
*
List of astronomical societies
A list of notable groups devoted to promoting astronomy research and education.
Africa
* African Astronomical Society
South Africa
*Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
Asia
China
* Chinese Astronomical Society
India
* Akash Mitra Mandal
*A ...
References
External links
PPARC websitearchive (2007)
''Frontiers'' magazine websitearchive (2007)
Research Councils UK
{{Authority control
Astronomy organizations
Science and technology in the United Kingdom
Research councils
Scientific organizations established in 1994
Scientific organizations disestablished in 2007
Science and Technology Facilities Council
1994 establishments in the United Kingdom