Large telescopes and the moral economy of recent astronomy

Author:

McCray, W. Patrick

Title:

Large telescopes and the moral economy of recent astronomy

Periodical:

Social Studies of Science

Year:

2000

Volume:

30

Pages:

685-711

Subject:

Astronomical observatories Astronomy Economic aspects Gemini Observatory

Summary:

The ways in which the principles of fairness and means of control regarding the access to the resources that astronomers need when working on Mauna Kea are discussed in this document. Here, the Gemini 8-Meter Telescope Project is used as an example. The unwritten rules, interests, and historical traditions, or 'moral economy' that are inherent to the astronomy community is discussed in an effort to discern the processes and negotiations through which commodities are allocated. By focusing on the process through which astronomers moved the Gemini telescope project from abstract blueprints and budgets into glass and steel, themes such as access, equity, control, and authority in contemporary science are examined as plans to build a telescope facility for the entire US astronomy community, against the backdrop of the institutional, political, and financial forces that shape national and international astronomy are described.

Label:

Mauna Kea - Commentary

URL:

http://cletus.uhh.hawaii.edu:2075/stable/285761

Date:

2000

Collection:

Periodicals