The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) has recently become a hot topic of criticism and debate. The construction of the astronomical observatory, scheduled to be built in Mauna Kea in Hawaii, was halted in light of protests regarding land clearing at the construction site. Yet, despite these initial setbacks, the TMT International Observatory states that the telescope is still expected to be ready by 2024.
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE (TMT)
The construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope attracted international coverage after October 2014, when angry protesters argued that the surrounding land was sacred to native Hawaiians. Following the incident, the erection of the telescope was set to resume on April 2 and then again on June 24, 2015. However, protests interfered with its launch each time.
Regardless the production of the telescope has continued in the six months following the incidences. And according to TMT board member, Michael Bolte, “activities are running full speed ahead.”
“We have been patient,” Bolte states. “These are real issues in Hawaii. The protesters had the question mark about the state process.”
THE FUTURE OF THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE (TMT)
Although the delays appear to be insignificant in regard to the rest of the project timeline, the Supreme Court is now considering a challenge to the project’s land use permit. If the permit is rejected, the project would need approval from the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources again.
In the meantime, Bolte has stated that partners around the world in China, Canada, India and Japan, as well as the California Institute of Technology and the University of California are working on separate parts of the project before construction fully resumes. The telescope’s 30-meter-wide primary mirror, for instance, has already been built.
Even if challenges continue to aris, Bolte states that the TMT board will continue to pursue its goals: “I think we’re going to get through all these challenges on Mauna Kea, build this, and this is going to be one of the most productive scientific facilities of this century.”
