MAUNA KEA – The Thirty Meter Telescope is announcing Canada as an official, full partner in the TMT project, one month after the Canadian government pledged millions to the international observatory project. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his country will provide CAD$243.5 million toward the project over the next decade. It has been reported that Canada will build the telescope enclosure and the cutting-edge adaptive optics system.
Canada’s federal Industry Minister James Moore was quoted in the media release.
Canada is proud to be an official partner in this revolutionary facility that has the potential to transform our understanding of the universe. It is a testament to the leadership and expertise of our space industry that Canada will build the telescope’s precision-steel enclosure and provide cutting-edge optics technologies. We look forward to working with our international partners in conducting ground-breaking space research.”Industry Minister James Moore
The announcement also follows news that one of the $1.4 billion observatory’s most recognized opponents, Kaho’okahi Kanuha, filed war crime charges against TMT in Canada. Kanuha is the spokesperson for the Ku Kia’a Mauna group that has been blocking TMT construction crews on the road to the summit.
Canadian officials and TMT appear undaunted by the complaint, as evidenced by the media release issued today.
The TMT project is working toward building a powerful, next-generation astronomical observatory at Maunakea in Hawaii, slated to see ‘first light’ in the 2020s, and the success of the project is reliant upon the continued collaborative efforts from scientific leaders and donors from those other major nations. (‘First light’ is defined as the first use of a telescope to take an astronomical image after it has been constructed.)
When completed, the telescope’s large aperture will collect more light, allowing international astronomers to observe fainter objects, including planets that orbit stars outside our own solar system, and distant stars that formed some 13 billion light years away.
“Canada’s investment and commitment to our project reconfirms the bright future of this great scientific endeavor,” said Henry Yang, Chair of the TIO Board and Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Barbara. “We are realizing a bold vision and have put tremendous effort into this project, which will give us deeper insight into the early years of the universe and a better world for all of us to share and appreciate.”
In addition to Canada’s role in TMT’s construction, other international partners are moving ahead on various other aspects of the project. In India, fabrication of the mirror support system continues. In China, partners are designing the telescope’s fully articulated main science steering mirror system and developing the laser guide star system. In Japan, over 60 special zero thermal-expansion glass mirror blanks for the main mirror have been produced and the telescope structure is being designed in detail. In California, the primary mirror and mirror control system is also in final design. Major funding has been provided by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation.TMT media release
How many times do you need to post the owners manual of this telescope. Faint lights n mirrors blah blah this fool look like he faint once a week. In addition Canada’s California role in this bento play the least part in the construction of the main components. Using mauna kea and acting like it’s the least expensive of all the components. The rent should be triple for Canada’s portion and 1.4bn deposit 7 years ago. Cut the asset and deposit the rest in green. On the big island people usually pay before they start claiming anything to be theirs. Even rent works differently on this island.
What a shame this project is greeted with anything but anticipation and excitement. Referring to the knowledge that will come from this for all humankind as “Faint light n mirror blah blah” demonstrates nothing but ignorance. Hawaiian history shows that the Hawaiian people have been traditionally explorers and seekers of knowledge. Live Aloha’s comments do an injustice to the people he purports to represent. Anyone who has read of him knows that Kamehameha would have been proud to host such a great scientific project.
Protestors don’t speak for all Hawaiians. I am Hawaiian and support the Thirty Meter Telescope here in Hawaii. It’s an amazing step for all humans. Imua TMT!
Anyone who call themselves an Hawaiian would know that TMT has no place on Mauna Kea. If they are truly Hawaiian, which I doubt. Using a Hawaiian name does not make you Hawaiian! Shibai!
Its by chance that anyone is born in any one particular place, but we all were born on this planet, built the telescope.
I can’t help but think this is the slap in the face answer to the war crimes complaint.
As I am Hawaiian also I applaud you. TMT will shed new light on Astronomy and ASTRO physics. TMT is another vehicle to explore not only our world but the Universe and beyond. Kalamai The spelling lol.
GOOD! This is a facility that will benefit all mankind, especailly the Hawaiians.
You are nasty. Please find peace.
Just another insightful well constructed comment from “Live Aloha”. NOT!
This project is all about science and discovery. The education and money are a good side benefit for the future of the children of Hawaii. A Win Win for everybody!
Yes powerz, the RCMP threw that nonsense in the garbage the moment the felon David Sai and Company walked out of their office. I’ll bet they are still laughing about it.
Ahh the old bag in the other article said she already collected rent the other day. Then you hear east hawaii medical centers laying off workers in the news a day after. Yeah I can see it helping mankind already. And benefit hawaiians pfft.
Old bag? Collected rent? Did you reply to the wrong post? I don’t follow what you are saying.
You see uncle I am a hawaiian that work for every dam thing I have. No hawaiian homes no nothing. So I can understand some of the people’s stance on this for they have no choice they already got paid off and continue to be paid off. I could care less about a telescope or bull shit plans to educate children. Science and money management is two different things as you can see by the hospital layoffs. They don’t seem to care about the science of saving someone’s life. But it’s more important to speculate the fake photoshop space images.
The hospital’s business plan is funded by the State, not privately like the TMT. Once again, apples and taro.
Who collected the rent private too
OHA got 20%, are they private? NO.
No I think they posted it yesterday but that apply to this story too
Ok so 20% down the drain for this year
Answer why you said that you are ” a “Hawaiian” who worked for everything I have?” Why is it then that you are a rarity?
You mean why don’t I have hawaiian homes? Family tradition
NO, you said you are “an “Hawaiian” who worked for everything I have”. What does that mean? It sounded like a racist stereotype of most “Hawaiians” who apparently don’t according to your statement. Oh, it was, wasn’t it!
Yeah the Hawaiians supporting the telescope acting like zombies because they got uh grants on hawaiian homes ag lots got no choice but to play along. I not stupid, they not stupid and you not stupid uncle.
I don’t buy your twist for a second. And why would you put down “Hawaiian” folks that have gotten good educations in order to obtain good jobs. How dare you say such awful things. You are what’s wrong. You are just another crab in the bucket pulling everyone down.
Wtf how the hell I’m pulling anybody down by commenting in this comment box you guys all rip off, steal, borrow, twist, sneaky, underesmating, weak, peadophiles. You got the nerve airing out your dirty laundry like that
“You guys”? Who are you attacking now, “Live Aloha”.