“We have followed a 10-year process to get to this point,” Governor Ige said. But how you interpret that phrase depends on which position you align with. “It is a telescope, to look into the very origins of life and the universe.”. Early Universe, Galaxy Formation and the IGM, Stars, Stellar Physics and the Interstellar Medium, Multi-Object Diffraction-limited High-Resolution Infrared Spectrograph (MODHIS), TMT International Science Development Teams, https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org/get-the-facts. 2009. Hawaii Governor David Ige is a supporter of the project. In 2000, astronomers began considering the potential of new, state-of-the-art telescopes as large as 30 meters in diameter. The primary mirror phasing system is fully integrated to the observatory and ready for operations. Gov. The dome’s diameter measures 216 feet, with a shutter ― the opening for the telescope to peer through ― measuring about 100 feet wide. Those lasted into 2017. The last segment is polished and sent off for ion beam figuring. Thirty Meter Telescope will supply much needed employment opportunities and possibilities for businesses to assist TMT’s development, operations and maintenance. During the 8- to 10-year construction timeline, TMT will create about 300 local and specialized construction jobs. The results of a new scientific poll show Hawaii residents continue to support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Major funding has been provided by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation. “This is not about Hawaiian culture vs. science,” Ahuna said. Demonstrators said the project could damage land considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians. (In comparison, the famed Hubble telescope … Maui and Kaua'i join in on TMT demonstrations. For more information about TMT Hawaii, please visit. Gov. Once TMT selected Mauna Kea, the project began a regulatory and community process for approval. Maunakea has some of the clearest views of the skies in the world, and it also is one of the most sacred places to Native Hawaiians. 5.5K likes. Scientists at the University of California and Caltech began the development of a design that would eventually become known as the TMT. The Board of the Thirty Meter Telescope selected Maunakea in July 2009 after a rigorous five-year campaign spanning the entire globe that measured virtually every atmospheric feature that might affect the performance of the telescope. They picked Mauna Kea in 2009, because it’s above about 40 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere. Ige issues emergency proclamation for the County of Hawai'i amid Mauna Kea protests. In June, the state issued the project the “notice to proceed.”. “We’re not against TMT. But the telescope controversy has also led to broader discussions about both respect for indigenous rights ― and the pursuit of scientific progress. In March of 2015, the state gave the project the notice to proceed on construction, but later that month, demonstrators blocked the road to the summit and arrests were made. In the face of demonstrations and legal threats to the project, TMT officials had to start considering other options. The Land Board approves UH’s “Comprehensive Management Plan,” a development plan which paves the way for an unlimited number of new telescopes and support structures. Those events also inspired people to protest another telescope project on Haleakala on Maui. Then came the announcement that construction will begin July 15th. Anti-Thirty Meter Telescope demonstrations take place nationwide. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO) announce that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will begin the week of July 15, 2019. M2 cleaning system ready to ship to the observatory, The coating chamber is built and ready to ship to the observatory, The fabrication of the telescope structure is completed in Japan and ready to ship to the observatory, The last segment blank is completed and sent for polishing, M3 cleaning system ready to ship to the observatory, The coating chamber for the secondary and tertiary mirrors is ready to be shipped to the observatory. This is the beginning of another Waikiki up our sacred mountain.”. Enclosure base is complete and ready to accept the upper part of the dome. All Rights Reserved. The next year, Gov. The public opinion poll conducted in March 2020 by Ward Research, Inc. shows that 61 percent of Hawaii residents support moving ahead with construction of TMT, with 32 percent opposed. Under the proposal, the foundation would contribute $850 million each to the Thirty Meter Telescope and the Giant Magellan Telescope. Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) 30.0 655 492 × 1.45 m hexagonal f /1 4050 2027 Construction approved at Mauna Kea Obs. Primary mirror with 492 segments aligned and phased on sky with APS, M2 and M3. The challenges eventually led to the construction permit being revoked, when the justices found that the state’s permitting process was flawed. Its design calls for a dome that’s 180 feet tall, about the same height as Aloha Tower on Oahu. In 2003, TMT officials started an extensive five-year scout of the sites at Mauna Kea, Chile and Mexico. Gov. In ancient times, the mountain’s summit was considered the realm of the gods. It is a temple,” said Native Hawaiian activist Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. During the 8- to 10-year construction timeline, TMT will create about 300 local and specialized construction jobs. We’re not against them building it. Researchers with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology were able to extract DNA from mucus that the shark left behind on Warren’s surfboard. From its base on the ocean floor to its summit above the clouds, Mauna Kea measures more than 32,000 feet ― technically making it the highest mountain in the world. While the state Land Department is in charge of overseeing conservation land, like Mauna Kea, the University of Hawaii has been leasing the land for their astronomy program since 1967. “They were removed because they were located right where TMT is going to be constructed, so they had to be removed,” Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors said. The tertiary mirror is built and ready to be shipped to the observatory. The holidays are usually a time for happiness and gratefulness. “We have to draw the lines in the sand, say no, no more already,” telescope opponent Walter Ritte said. Mauna Kea is likely based on an American English spelling variation, instead of traditional Hawaiian. In 2008, the TMT corporation selected two semi-finalists for further study, Mauna Kea and Cerro Amazones. “They have not listened to the Hawaiian people and the cries that this is a sacred mountain,” said Ritte. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO)announce that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will begin the week of July 15, 2019. 420 Waiakamilo Road, Suite 205Honolulu, HI 96817Main (808) 847-3246News (808) 847-1112. The Members of TIO are Caltech, the University of California, the National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan, the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Department of Science and Technology of India, and the National Research Council (Canada); the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a TIO Associate. 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