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Why is Manakea the perfect place for astronomical observations? Uncover the secret of its perfect location!
Manakea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is an excellent location for astronomical observation. Its unique geographical and meteorological conditions attract countless astronomers and scientists. Since ancient times, this sacred mountain with its magnificent mountain views has been an ideal place to explore the mysteries of the universe. When it comes to astronomical observations, Manakea undoubtedly occupies an important position, especially the planned Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) to be built, which is expected to become one of the largest visible light telescopes in the world. However, this ambitious plan has caused a lot of controversy, especially among the local indigenous communities, where opposition to the plan is growing.
Manakea Mountain is known for its high altitude, dry air and low light pollution, making it an extremely advantageous observation location.
The altitude of Mount Manakya reaches 4,205 meters, which allows the site to avoid interference from the earth's atmosphere and obtain a clearer astronomical observation view. The air above it is dry and majestic, especially suitable for observations in the near-ultraviolet and mid-infrared bands, meeting the needs of a thirty-meter telescope. According to scientists' assessment, TMT's observations on Mount Manakea will greatly improve its excellent collection capabilities and even achieve results that cannot be achieved with existing instruments. This is undoubtedly a revolution in astronomy.
“The optical design of the Thirty Meter Telescope makes it a huge tool for collecting light from celestial bodies, and will bring leaps and bounds to deep space research.”
The TMT project has a 492-segment primary mirror, which is a more powerful design than any existing telescope. The project attracted attention not only for its performance, but also for its extremely high construction and operating costs. According to reports, the budget to build this telescope may exceed one billion U.S. dollars, and the economic benefits and scientific research results it will generate will have a profound impact on the entire astronomical community.
Countries that support TMT include the United States, Canada, Japan and India, which shows the importance of international cooperation involved in the project. However, the support of these countries does not represent the approval of everyone. Manakea has special cultural and religious significance to Hawaii's native peoples, and many believe that building the telescope will affect the integrity of this sacred land and cause widespread impacts on the local ecological environment.
"Manakya is not just a place for observation, but a place with a soul that should be respected."
In this context, the protest movement regarding TMT has continued to intensify since 2014. Protests by indigenous communities have attracted widespread media attention, with representatives emphasizing their insistence on respect and cultural rights. Even when TMT construction was about to resume in 2019, protests continued to halt construction progress. This is not only a fight against scientific projects, but also a debate about sovereignty over land and cultural identity.
Environmental protection and cultural protection in Manakya are one of the current priority issues. With the establishment of a new oversight committee, multi-party dialogue including Aboriginal representatives may be able to bring about a peaceful solution. The balance between TMT progress and the voices of local residents remains an important and ongoing issue.
With the advancement and obstruction of many projects, what will Mount Manakya look like in the future? Is it a window for mankind to explore the universe, or is it a symbol of maintaining local culture and environment?
