Spain bids 400 million to host mega telescope at risk in US budget cuts
Briefly

The Thirty Meter Telescope, previously slated for Hawaii, may now be built in La Palma, Spain, following decreased US support. The Spanish government is ready to contribute €400 million to the effort, aiming to establish the site as a hub for scientific research. Minister Diana Morant emphasized Spain's commitment to science and submitted a proposal to the TMT board. Although La Palma is a potential backup location, its lower elevation compared to Mauna Kea could hinder the telescope's observational capabilities due to a thicker atmosphere.
The Spanish government has pitched to bring the Thirty Meter Telescope to La Palma, pledging €400 million to support the project as the US halts funding.
Diana Morant stated, 'Spain reinforces its commitment as a refuge for science, betting on excellent research and technological innovation,' announcing significant funding.
The telescope's 30-metre light-collecting mirror would allow astronomers to study the cosmos with unprecedented resolution, surpassing current optical telescopes.
La Palma has long been considered a backup site for the telescope due to opposition at Mauna Kea, despite its lower elevation potentially impacting observation quality.
Read at Nature
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