Why do astronomers want to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea?
The location and conditions of Maunakea are significant to astronomers thanks to its high elevation, dry weather, and the greatest number of cloud-free nights of any mountain in the world. Being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, its location gives astronomers the ability to see both the northern and southern sky.
Why is Mauna Kea good for telescopes?
There are currently 13 telescopes on its slopes, on land managed by the University of Hawaii. Mauna Kea is ideal for astronomy: It is dry, has little turbulent air and a large fraction of clear viewing nights.
Why TMT should not be built?
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) should not be built at Mauna Kea, they contend, raising issues of indigenous rights, sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
Should the TMT be built on Mauna Kea?
A 2019 poll conducted by Civil Beat showed a 2 to 1 margin (64% support to 31% oppose), in favor of building TMT on Maunakea.
Did the 30 meter telescope get built?
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is an under-construction extremely large telescope (ELT) that has become controversial due to its planned location on Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii….Thirty Meter Telescope.
| Artist’s rendering of proposed telescope | |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, United States |
| Built | TBD |
| First light | est. 2027 |
How does the 30 meter telescope work?
By pointing the telescope towards a celestial source, and then by scanning and tracking the source, one can build up radio images – whether of complete galaxies or regions of star formation in the Milky Way. With its ability to observe simultaneously at several wavelengths, the telescope can produce multiple images.
Why should the telescope not be built on Mauna Kea?
The building of the telescope will mean that the Hawaiians will be losing a major part of their history, culture and values, but the world is progressing at such an incredible pace that we cannot afford to look back and second guess our actions. I am against the building of TMT on Mauna Kea.
Should TMT be built on Mauna Kea?
The protestors do not want the TMT to be built on Mauna Kea, a site that is sacred to Native Hawaiians. The telescope’s opponents say that they want to protect the mountain, and that it already houses too many observatories. (There are 13, five of which are supposed to be dismantled before the TMT begins operations.)
Why the telescope should not be built on Mauna Kea?
Current astronomy facilities already threaten Mauna Kea’s fragile ecosystem, according to The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, and have destroyed habitats for native species. TMT officials say the telescope will not threaten the island’s groundwater, and that scientists will work to protect the mountain’s inhabitants.
Do you think that the TMT should be built on Mauna Kea?
The construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea can benefit the future generations of Hawai’i, as well as those who are currently in the career of astronomy. With everything happening on Mauna Kea (lot of respect), I believe the government should look for other sites to built the telescope instead of building on sacred land.
Will the TMT ever be built?
“The TMT will never be built.” Many other Native Hawaiians do support the project. And a poll of 1,367 state residents, released on 7 August by the Honolulu Civil Beat newspaper, found that 64% supported the project while 31% opposed it.
Why the TMT should not be built?
Advocates for building the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain will lambaste protesters with slurs of being “anti-science” or “living in the past.” These false arguments are designed to disparage a population that continues to be treated as second-class citizens. The vile disinformation campaign perpetrated by Gov.
What is the Thirty Meter Telescope?
The Thirty Meter Telescope ( TMT) is a proposed extremely large telescope (ELT) that has become controversial due to its planned location on Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii, a mountain which is considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians.
Will the Thirty Meter Telescope outlive Mauna Kea?
We must listen intently and with purpose. Hawaiians have been the ultimate stewards of the islands for generations, and Mauna Kea is their ultimate sacred land. Just like the other smaller telescopes already built on the mountain, the 18-story Thirty Meter Telescope will someday outlive its usefulness.
When will construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope begin in Hawaii?
On October 30, 2018, the Supreme Court of Hawaii ruled 4-1, that the revised permit was acceptable, allowing construction to proceed. On July 10, 2019, Hawaii Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory jointly announced that construction would begin the week of July 15, 2019.
Is the Mauna Kea project a step too far?
This move goes a step too far. Mauna Kea is sacred land for Native Hawaiians. The proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain represents the final injustice of an entire people who have been marginalized and disenfranchised.