While [equation markups are seldom needed](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/30559/latex-in-stack-overflow) on S[OFU], it is absolutely essential on many science-based SE 2.0 sites e.g. [Mathematics](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/3355/mathematics), [Statistical Analysis](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/33/statistical-analysis), [Physics](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/1908/physics), etc. Unicode art is not enough for not-so-simple equations.

Being a professional site, they should have equation markup support (LaTeX if possible) *since the beta phase*, as not to repel professionals and hinder the site's popularity.

In [MathOverflow](http://mathoverflow.net/) it is handled by jsMath. But as all beta sites share the same template, it's possible only if **site-specific script** is allowed — *is it / will it be allowed?*

Moreover, I hope there is an official site-wise **Opt-in LaTeX support**, since this is and will be a common requirement for quite a number of beta sites. (This may take 6 to 8 weeks to implement though.)

<sub>(Alternatively **[site-specific formatting hooks](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/57673/support-for-site-specific-formatting-hooks-in-se2-0-sites)** could be installed to [convert LaTeX into images at server side](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/12700/add-latex-support-to-markdown-wmd), ... but no one answered in 2 days!?)</sub>