Latest news with #ThirtyMeterTelescope
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled controversial Thirty Meter Telescope
The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF's fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. The president had sought to slash the NSF's $9 billion budget by 56 % as part of a broader pattern of federal funding reductions. According to the budget proposal, the NSF will support only one of two U.S.-backed 'extremely large telescope ' projects due to financial constraints. The agency opted to advance Chile's GMT into a 'major facility final design phase, ' stating the TMT will not advance to the final design phase and will not receive an additional commitment of NSF funds. The TMT was first proposed in the early 2000s as one of the most ambitious astronomy projects ever attempted, featuring a 30-meter segmented mirror nearly three times the size of any currently in operation. It is led by a consortium of U.S. and international scientific institutions, with the University of Hawaii serving as the local site partner. Many Native Hawaiians consider Mauna Kea the most sacred place in the islands, often describing it as a spiritual and ancestral homeland, and believe that constructing the telescope would further desecrate the mountain, which is already home to roughly a dozen observatories. TMT has faced repeated delays and soaring costs—from an initial estimate of $1.4 billion to $3 billion—alongside intense protests that halted construction in 2019 and sparked broader conversations about Indigenous rights, land stewardship and the role of science in Hawaii. Despite those challenges, the TMT collaboration has long hoped to secure NSF funding to move the project forward. But the NSF's new budget request makes clear that continued financial support for both telescopes is 'unaffordable, ' and that only the Chile project has 'assurances ' of completing its design phase without further investment. Even for GMT, the path ahead is not guaranteed. NSF emphasized that advancing to the final design phase 'does not obligate the agency to provide any further funding ' or approve construction. Nonetheless, the decision leaves TMT's future far in doubt, especially without a clear backup site and persistent community opposition. Native Hawaiian activist Hea lani Sonoda-Pale described the funding decision as a rare and important win for Native Hawaiians, especially the 'protectors ' who filed formal comments and advocacy letters aimed at influencing NSF decisions. Still, Sonoda-Pale said she doubts that Native Hawaiian concerns played a meaningful role in the Trump administration's decision-making, suggesting the NSF funding cut for TMT was more likely the result of broader budget priorities than a conscious effort to support Native Hawaiian interests. 'I don't think the Kanaka Maoli are on his radar, ' she said. 'It just so happens the stars aligned and this was a win for Hawaiians … . This decision will empower Kanaka Maoli to keep moving forward and remain vigilant to protect Mauna Kea and all sacred places in Hawaii.' Gov. Josh Green and University of Hawaii officials deferred comment on the funding cuts to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, whose leaders were not immediately available to respond to the development. However, Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda, who sits on the stewardship authority board, voiced deep disappointment over the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts, saying the move to defund TMT undermines not only the future of astronomy in Hawaii but also crucial Native Hawaiian economic and educational opportunities. Alameda framed his support for the telescope squarely around its potential to benefit Hawaiians. 'My whole support of the new version of TMT is to help Hawaiians and to help Hawaii, ' he said Saturday. 'You take TMT off the table, now we have the status quo because there's no motivation for decommissioning (other telescopes ).' He explained that keeping TMT 'on the table ' was about more than just supporting science ; the project provided important leverage to negotiate better terms with other observatories on Mauna Kea. He fears the mountain's stewardship will stagnate and critical revenues that could support Native Hawaiian immersion and charter schools and homestead programs will be lost. Alameda noted the ripple effect on the island's economy and the Native Hawaiian community in particular. Construction and operation of TMT represent decades of union jobs for carpenters, electricians, iron workers and laborers, he said. He also questioned the political logic behind shifting federal astronomy funding from Hawaii to the GMT under construction in Chile. 'Chile is a different country, right ? Trump's all about making America great again, ' Alameda said. He stressed that many Native Hawaiians may not fully grasp how defunding the TMT would be felt across Native Hawaiian programs and institutions relying on that revenue. With Congress yet to weigh in on the proposed budget, Alameda holds cautious hope that further developments may still support science funding, but he warned that the current trajectory threatens to end one of the nation's flagship astronomy projects and diminish Hawaii's role in global scientific innovation. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii ) agreed that the likely loss of NSF funding for TMT would set back Hawaii island's efforts to diversify its economy and create high-quality, sustainable jobs for local residents through education, workforce development and long-term economic opportunities that 'extend well beyond astronomy.' 'If we are unable to navigate complex challenges and reach consensus on projects that require the successful inclusion of community participation and feedback, it will send a concerning message to future partners and invite caution from government funders when local commitment and community alignment are uncertain, ' Tokuda said in a statement Saturday to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'At this critical moment, Hawaii must show it can come together to support responsible opportunities that strengthen our communities and secure a more resilient economic future.' Meanwhile, Hilo native Dakota Lee, 23, expressed conflicting feelings about the TMT project. 'Mauna Kea is a sacred place for the Hawaii community, and I think that the desecration of such a sacred place has been really hard on our community, ' said Lee, a Native Hawaiian. Reflecting on the emotional complexity of the situation, he added : 'My heart is sad because I know that that's a loss of funding for the community. I've always had such a difficult time just talking about this in general because I really do see both sides and connect with both sides.' He cited cultural insensitivity and past mismanagement of Mauna Kea, saying UH had 'handled things poorly ' by not adequately listening to Native Hawaiians before responsibility for the mountain was transferred to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, which was established in 2022. But Lee also warned that the defunding of TMT could have serious consequences for Hawaii's economy and educational system, both of which depend heavily on support from scientific and research funding sources. He cautioned against oversimplifying the apparent defunding of TMT as merely a political win for Native Hawaiians. While acknowledging the widespread belief that the move aligns with opposition to the telescope, Lee stressed that it is more accurately a reflection of broader policy decisions undermining scientific research. 'While I think that the lahui will see this as a win, I think we also have to be really careful with how we see this as a win and what we do moving forward, ' Lee said, underscoring the delicate balance between cultural preservation and economic sustainability.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii's TMT project on chopping block amid federal cuts
HONOLULU (KHON2) — There has been a major development in the long-running battle over the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. A federal funding cut could mean major changes for the project's future. New mayor's support reignites TMT debate The TMT has been the center of fierce opposition and protest for years. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda used to be against the project and even took part in the 2019 protests, but a new authority has been in charge since 2022 and his stance has changed. 'Nine of 11 of us are Hawaiian. So that's like, the perfect mix to make this decision of what's best for the mountain. So I was thrilled,' Alameda said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Alameda said Native Hawaiian voices were finally leading the decision making when the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority was created. 'Not just for Hawaii, but I'm also fighting for Hawaiians because the 30 meter telescope allows us leverage to make the mountain better,' he said. 'What's the leverage to decommission five or six other telescopes? So, I don't think people realize that, you know, you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.' The National Science Foundation said it will not fund TMT through its final design phase due to budget cuts, despite the local momentum. The National Science Foundation will instead back the completion of the Giant Magellan Telescope that is already under construction in Chile. Anti-telescope protesters oppose US attorney pick for Hawaii 'The Thirty Meter Telescope is one of the most compelling American opportunities in this generation. It is designed to explore the earliest galaxies, probe the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and search for life on exoplanets. Mauna Kea is the premier northern hemisphere site for astronomy, and TMT will enable the United States to demonstrate global leadership, while setting new standards for partnerships with the community where it wishes to be built and operated,' TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu said in a statement. 'We are disappointed that the NSF's current budget request does not include TMT, but we remain firmly committed to finding a path forward for TMT,' Liu's statement continued. 'We can imagine a future in which NSF participation in the TMT would open opportunities for significant discovery to the entire US science community, and welcome further conversations to make this a reality.' 'As ever, we appreciate our many supporters who share a common vision for future generations, and for excellence, as we strive to bring TMT to all the communities engaged with us,' Liu concluded. Check out more news from around Hawaii The Mauna Kea Authority has the final say on land use decisions — including whether TMT can move forward — but the future of the telescope remains uncertain whiteout federal funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wordsley scientist who lost home in LA wildfires tells of hope for future
A WORDSLEY scientist who lost his home in the California wildfires has told of his hope for the future after finding the friendly neighbourhood rabbit survived the inferno. Warren Skidmore, who grew up in the Black Country before moving to the USA for work, and his family lost their house and belongings when fire swept through Altadena, Los Angeles. The family sought sanctuary in an Air BnB in Pasadena after fleeing the Eaton fire left their home razed to the ground in January and luckily they soon managed to find rented accommodation to move into. Warren, a research scientist working on the Thirty Meter Telescope project – which aims to create the 'world's biggest telescope', said the family had received overwhelming support from family, friends, their community and members of the public who heard about their plight. A Go Fund Me page has raised nearly $70,000 to help the family since the disaster. The remains of the Skidmore family home after the Eaton wildfire (Image: Warren Skidmore) In an update on the online donation page, he said: 'We are incredibly grateful for the love and support that we've been shown, it has been a great help in these weeks since the wildfire decimated Altadena and turned our lives, and so many of our friends' lives upside down. Since the moment we evacuated, we've been extremely lucky with many offers of places to stay and people making sure that we're ok." Warren said the family has managed to find a rental apartment a few miles from their home allowing his daughters to commute to school and college and for him to hitch a ride with them to work and he said: 'Life is pretty stable again.' Warren Skidmore in his Black Country cycling top (Image: Warren Skidmore) But he added: 'Our hearts keep going out to our many friends that are still seeking long term accommodation and badly in need of some stability. Many of them are still hotel-hopping. All of us who have lost homes have a long and very uncertain road ahead. 'Seeing our house for the first time after the fire was very emotional for us all. The level of destruction was incredible and complete. Nothing was left other than steel and a few ceramic items, the chimney and foundations. In some ways, that helped us to get past the loss of the only home the girls had ever known.' In a stroke of luck, the emotional return to the property was buoyed, however, when they discovered their friendly neighbourhood rabbit had survived the fire. The friendly neighbourhood bunny rabbit that survived the fire (Image: Warren Skidmore) He said: 'A big lift for us was that during that first visit, we were standing looking over the destruction when Tessa heard a rustle. We looked down and our friendly wild cottontail rabbit hopped out from under the burned-out debris and ran around her feet. 'She was covered in soot, and her whiskers and tail were singed, but she had made it through the fires. We left some water for her and returned the next day with lettuce, hay, and her favorite treat - bread. 'We continue to visit the house almost daily to make sure the rabbit is okay. Seeing her gives us hope. If she can make it, so can we.' He said he expects the ashes and debris of the property to be removed any day now and added: 'That will certainly be an emotional event because any possibility of finding vestiges of life prior to the fire will be gone. The remains of the Skidmore family home after the Eaton wildfire (Image: Warren Skidmore) 'A hundred or so of the approximately 6,000 destroyed houses have been cleared now. ' He said the family has engaged a designer for the new house but added: 'The long-term uncertainty about whether we're going to be able to afford to rebuild the house is still causing me a lot of worry. 'The supports that we received through GoFundMe are earmarked to cushion the shortfall. As such, we continue to see that we are amongst the lucky ones that have been through this.'
