Explore Our Affordable Courses

Click Here

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project: Indian Delegation Addresses Challenges on Mauna Kea

Context:

Recently, an Indian delegation visited Mauna Kea, situated in Hawaii, USA to address the challenges faced by the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project.

Thirty Meter Telescope

Astronomical Exploration and the Thirty Meter Telescope Project Decision

  • Mauna Kea is an inactive volcano on the island of Hawaii.

    • Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO) comprises various independent astronomical research facilities and large telescopes.
    • The location fits the project because of its characteristics: dark skies, absence of light pollution, elevated position, and exceptional astronomical seeing.
    • The Indian project partners anticipate a conclusive choice between Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) in the Canary Islands within the next 2 years.

Is Mauna Kea the highest mountain in the world?

  • The tallest mountain in the world from base to peak is Mauna Kea, a long-dormant volcano in Hawaii, USA. 
  • In total, it is approximately 10,205m (33481 feet) in height, taller than Mount Everest’s 8,849m (29032 feet). 
  • Over half of Mauna Kea is underwater in the Pacific Ocean.

The Role & Advancements of Thirty Meter Telescope in Astronomical Exploration

  • Thirty Meter Telescope is an  extremely large 30-meter optical/infrared telescope.

    • Partners: Besides India, it has partners from the USA, China, Japan, and Canada

India’s Role and Contribution:

  • India, a partner in Thirty Meter Telescope, supports the development of the 30-meter telescope.
  • India plans to contribute $200 million worth of hardware, software, and instruments.
  • India will provide 83 out of the 492 mirrors for the telescope.
      • The Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore and the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune are the three main institutes constituting Thirty Meter Telescope-India.
      • Funding: India Thirty Meter Telescope will be jointly funded by the Departments of Science and Technology and Atomic Energy.

Technical Capabilities:

  • It can collect over 12 times more light than the Hubble space telescope. 
    • This vastly expands the observational capacity for faint or very distant astronomical objects.

Thirty Meter Telescope’s Pioneering Research Frontiers

  • Detecting oxygen in exoplanet atmospheres to find evidence of life
  • Studying dark matter and dark energy 
  • Observing early galaxy formation after the Big Bang
  • Capturing images of black holes.

Challenges Faced by Thirty Meter Telescope: 

  • Native communities have opposed the construction for cultural and religious reasons.
  • The project’s substantial water requirements for construction and operation raise concerns about their impact on Mauna Kea’s already scarce water resources.
  • The Thirty Meter Telescope project has encountered substantial cost overruns, causing concerns about its financial sustainability and ability to adhere to the initially allocated budget.

News source: The Hindu

To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Download October 2024 Current Affairs.   SRIJAN 2025 Program (Prelims+Mains) !     Current Affairs Plus By Sumit Sir   UPSC Prelims Test Series 2025

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

      

Download October 2024 Current Affairs.   SRIJAN 2025 Program (Prelims+Mains) !     Current Affairs Plus By Sumit Sir   UPSC Prelims Test Series 2025

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.