University of Hawaii approves giant telescope

[Judi Lynn]

University of Hawaii approves giant telescope (AP)

29 June 2010 HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii Board of Regents unanimously approved a plan Monday to build the world’s largest telescope at Mauna Kea’s summit.

The decision clears the way for managers of the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope to seek a permit from the state to build the facility on conservation land. TMT managers aim to begin construction late next year and finish by 2018 if they can get a permit.

Some Native Hawaiians have opposed the telescope on the grounds it would defile Mauna Kea’s summit, which they consider sacred. Environmentalists say the telescope would harm the rare wekiu bug.

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The telescope’s segmented primary mirror, which is nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, will give it nine times the collecting area of the largest optical telescopes in use today. Its images will also be three times sharper.

More:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/June/international_June1208.xml§ion=international&col=