GG News Bureau
Hawaii, 12th Jan. A delegation from India, led by Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), visited Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the challenges faced in the progress of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project and explore ways to overcome them.
The TMT is a telescope with a primary mirror diameter of 30 meters, designed for optical and infrared astronomy. It is being established at Mauna Kea in Hawaii, and India is a Founder-Member Partner in this project. The aim of the TMT is to provide new insights into the universe through advanced astronomical observations. India’s participation in the project was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2014.
The Indian delegation, consisting of five members and led by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, held meetings with Prof. Henry Yang, Chairman of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory (TIO) Board, Prof. Robert Kirshner, Executive Director of TIO, and TMT Project Managers on January 9th, 2024, in Hawaii.
The discussions focused on the current status of the TMT project, particularly regarding the Mauna Kea site, the start of civil construction, the funding situation, the progress made so far in meeting the project’s requirements, and the expected timelines in the present circumstances.
Separate meetings were also held with various individuals and organizations, including Mr. Scott Saiki, Speaker of the House of the Hawaii State Legislature, Mr. John Komeiji, Chairman of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, Mr. Mitch Roth, Mayor of Hawaii County, Ms. Kaiu Kimura, a native Hawaiian and Executive Director of the Imiloa Astronomy Center, Mr. Toby Taniguchi, President of KTA Superstores, Mr. Pua Ishibashi, a native Hawaiian and representative of the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Dr. Kimo Alameda, a native Hawaiian and candidate for Hawaii County Mayor in 2024.
The topics discussed included the involvement of native Hawaiians in the decision-making process and the way forward for the project given the current circumstances.
The Indian delegation was provided with detailed information on various aspects of the project, including the inclusion of native Hawaiians, the availability of funding, the progress of civil construction, and the development of in-kind deliverables for the establishment of the TMT.
