Construction of World's Largest Telescope Approved by Hawaii

Rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope design as of 2012 (Image Source: Wikipedia.org )

Hawaii land board approves Thirty Meter Telescope, but imposes conditions

 

By Audrey McAvoy, Published: 2013 April 13

HONOLULU — A plan by California and Canadian universities to build the world’s largest telescope at the summit of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano won approval from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday.

The decision clears the way for the group managing the Thirty Meter Telescope project to negotiate a sublease for land with the University of Hawaii.

The telescope would be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the sun and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed. It should also help scientists see some 13 billion light-years away for a glimpse into the early years of the universe. Construction costs are expected to top $1 billion.

The telescope’s segmented primary mirror, which is nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, will give it nine times the collecting area of the largest optical telescopes in use today. Its images also will be three times sharper.

More - Link >>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/hawaii-land-board-approves-thirty-meter-telescope-but-imposes-conditions/2013/04/13/9581dd06-a468-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html

Sources: Associated Press News Wire Service, The Washington Post.

More on the proposed Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT):
Link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty_Meter_Telescope

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