Science Ministry team visits Hawaii to take stock of telescope project
- Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to discuss challenges facing the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project.
Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project
- TMT is a 30-meter diameter optical and infrared telescope designed for deep space observations.
- It is a collaborative effort involving the US, Japan, China, Canada and India.
- Indian participation in the project was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2014.
- It will allow deeper exploration into space and observe cosmic objects with unprecedented sensitivity.
Challenges Faced by TMT Project
- Mauna Kea, chosen as the original site, faced local opposition due to religious and cultural concerns.
- Permits for construction were invalidated by the Supreme Court of Hawaii in 2015, later restored in 2018.
- Continued local opposition has delayed the project, prompting considerations for an alternate site.
- Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands is considered as an alternative.
India's Contribution to TMT Project
- India is expected to be a major contributor, providing hardware, instrumentation, and software worth $200 million.
- India will contribute 83 of the 492 precisely polished mirrors needed for the telescope.
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) is leading the consortium of Indian institutions involved in the TMT project.
Progress and Future Decision
- The construction has not begun, but progress has been made in developing necessary components.
- Discussions are ongoing to ensure consensus and support of local people, with a decision on the site expected in the next two years.
Prelims Takeaway
- Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP)