| News Source: TH Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea to discuss “challenges” to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. |
What is Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
- It has been conceived as a 30-metre diameter primary-mirror optical and infrared telescope that will enable observations into deep space.
- It is proposed as a joint collaboration involving institutions in the S., Japan, China, Canada, and India.
- It will be the world’s most advanced and capable ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory.
- It will integrate the latest innovations in precisions control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics.
- At the heart of the telescope is the segmented mirror, made up of 492 individual segments. Precisely aligned, these segments will work as a single reflective surface of 30m diameter.
- Location: Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano on the island of Hawai’i in the United States.
Indian contribution
- India expects to be a major contributor to the project and will provide;
- hardware (segment support assemblies, actuators, edge sensors, segment polishing, and segment coating), instrumentation (first light instruments),
- software (observatory software and telescope control systems) worth $200 million
- The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) is leading the consortium of Indian institutions that are involved with the TMT project.
- India TMT will be jointly funded by the Departments of Science and Technology and Atomic Energy.
Significance of Thirty Meter Telescope
- This telescope will help people explore deep into space and ct as a tool to answer the various questions based on astronomy
- It will help scientists detect black holes which may be residing in far-off galaxies
- Once the project is successful, and the installation and working of TMT starts, it may even increase the knowledge of scientists about the formation of planets and other celestial objects
A lot about the evolution of the Universe can be studied and researched through the Thirst Meter Telescope.
Challenges & Issues with TMT
The $2 billion project has had its share of protests and challenges even before its installation. Discussed below are a few important issues with the Thirty Meter Telescope:
- Although the Supreme Court of Hawaii had approved the construction of the telescope in 2018, the progress was obstructed twice once before the judgement of the court in 2015, and once after the judgement in 2019
- In 2019, the scientist at the site was allowed access to the other telescope facilities in Mauna Kea
- The project is already delayed by a time span of 5 years
- The delay in the project has also affected the manufacturing and production
- With the issues regarding the installation and construction of TMT in Mauna Kea, finding another suitable site for its construction is another hindrance for the project
India and Thirty Meter Telescope
- India is proposed to give $200 million for the project which is about one-tenth of the entire project cost
- Both, the Department of Atomic Energy, and the Department of Science and Technology shall be working together on this project
- Other Indian Institutions included in the TMT project include:
- Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Banglore
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
- The telescope censors, actuators, and its mechanical support structure are to be created by the Indian organisations
- Also, a total of 492 mirrors are to be added to the telescope, of these, 83 are to be contributed by India