33 min
The Billion-Dollar Battle to Build A Telescope on Sacred Land Hot Off The Pod
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- News Commentary
In 2009, a cluster of academic institutions led by the University of California announced plans to go where no one had ever gone before: 13 billion years into the past. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) was to be the most powerful visible light telescope ever built, opening up an unprecedented pathway to outer space. The project captured the imaginations – and wallets – of philanthropists, scientists and researchers around the world.
But not everyone was smitten with the TMT. When Mauna Kea, the most sacred mountain in Native Hawaiian culture was announced as its location, Native Hawaiians protested. Students joined them upon discovering the UC’s involvement – especially that of UCSB’s chancellor, Henry Yang.
Nearly 15 years later, where does the TMT stand? The Daily Nexus’ lead news editor, Max Abrams, joins us on the inaugural episode of “Hot Off The Pod” to discuss.
Read some of Max’s reporting on the TMT at the links below:
Students Condemn UC and Chancellor Yang’s Involvement in Thirty Meter Telescope, Express Support for Native Hawaiians
UC Student Governments Call for Divestment of Thirty Meter Telescope Project
Amid Backlash and Uncertainty, UC Regents Hold Heated Discussion on Future of TMT
In 2009, a cluster of academic institutions led by the University of California announced plans to go where no one had ever gone before: 13 billion years into the past. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) was to be the most powerful visible light telescope ever built, opening up an unprecedented pathway to outer space. The project captured the imaginations – and wallets – of philanthropists, scientists and researchers around the world.
But not everyone was smitten with the TMT. When Mauna Kea, the most sacred mountain in Native Hawaiian culture was announced as its location, Native Hawaiians protested. Students joined them upon discovering the UC’s involvement – especially that of UCSB’s chancellor, Henry Yang.
Nearly 15 years later, where does the TMT stand? The Daily Nexus’ lead news editor, Max Abrams, joins us on the inaugural episode of “Hot Off The Pod” to discuss.
Read some of Max’s reporting on the TMT at the links below:
Students Condemn UC and Chancellor Yang’s Involvement in Thirty Meter Telescope, Express Support for Native Hawaiians
UC Student Governments Call for Divestment of Thirty Meter Telescope Project
Amid Backlash and Uncertainty, UC Regents Hold Heated Discussion on Future of TMT
33 min