The ambitious plans of US astronomers to erect two groundbreaking telescopes, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile and the Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii’s Maunakea, face a significant setback. Despite years of preparation and international backing, neither project has secured the full $3 billion required for completion.
Construction has commenced for the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile, while progress on the Thirty Meter Telescope has been slowed by concerns from Native Hawaiians regarding the mountain’s sacred status. Both ventures have garnered support from global funding bodies, but funding remains insufficient.
Astronomical Ambitions Unfulfilled
Hopes were high that the US National Science Foundation (NSF) would bridge the financial gap, but recent recommendations from the National Science Board, which oversees the NSF, have thrown a wrench in the works. The board suggested capping NSF contributions at $1.6 billion, citing the need to allocate resources to various scientific endeavors.
These developments hint that the NSF might have to make a difficult decision, potentially backing only one of the two projects. The agency is expected to outline its plan by May.
While additional private or alternative funding could keep both projects afloat, NSF involvement would secure US astronomers a share of observing time. However, with tight budgets and uncertain congressional support, such funding seems unlikely.
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US Astronomy Grapples with Rival Telescope Ventures
The situation is compounded by the progress of the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope in Chile, which is already well underway. Losing access to one of the planned US telescopes could undermine the country’s leadership in astronomy.
Opinions on the funding cap are divided among researchers. Some see it as a setback, while others view it as a necessary catalyst for progress, given the prolonged stagnation of the projects. Representatives from both telescopes have expressed interest in the board’s recommendations, emphasizing the importance of these projects according to a 2021 survey of US astronomers.
The Giant Magellan Telescope aims to combine seven mirrors into a light-gathering surface 25 meters wide, while the Thirty Meter Telescope plans to utilize 492 hexagonal segments to create a 30-meter mirror. However, the latter’s construction has been delayed due to ongoing deliberations over Maunakea’s governance.
In the face of mounting costs, researchers stress the urgency of advancing ground-based astronomy. The need for an extremely large telescope is clear, but securing the necessary resources remains a formidable challenge.
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