Hawaii’s fading star : where will American astronomers go if they lose their biggest asset on earth?

Author:

Monastersky, Richard

Title:

Hawaii’s fading star : where will American astronomers go if they lose their biggest asset on earth?

Periodical:

Chronicle of Higher Education

Year:

2004

Volume:

51

Pages:

A14-A18

Subject:

Astronomers Environmentalists Telescopes Mauna Kea controversy National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

Summary:

This document describes the problems that astronomers faced regarding telescope operations on Mauna Kea, a volcano that is located on the island of Hawaii. Described is why Mauna Kea is important to the astronomers and how this clashes with the views of the people of Hawaii and environmentalists who feel that the construction of the telescopes that sit atop Mauna Kea has harmed the fragile ecosystem of the summit. This controversy came as a proposal was submitted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, (NASA), for an "outrigger" telescope project that would involve putting four to six small telescopes around the twin 10-meter Keck Telescopes -- the largest optical telescopes in the world. Also described is the background of NASA's proposed project, as well as information regarding potential sites on which to build a thirty-meter telescope on Mauna Kea that is also planned by NASA.

Label:

Mauna Kea - Commentary

Date:

2004

Collection:

Periodicals