Hawaii or Spain? Why experts say location might not matter for world's largest telescope
/ AP
When starlight from billions of years ago zips across the universe and finally comes into focus on Earth, astronomers want their telescopes to be in the best locations possible to see what's out there. Despite years of legal battles and months of protests by Native Hawaiian opponents, the international coalition that wants to build the world's largest telescope in Hawaii insists that the islands' highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best place for their $1.4 billion instrument.
But just barely.
Thirty Meter Telescope officials acknowledge that their backup site atop a peak on the Spanish Canary island of La Palma is a comparable observatory location, and that it wouldn't cost more money or take extra time to build it there.
Trending News
There's also no significant opposition to putting the telescope on La Palma like there is in Hawaii, where some Native Hawaiians consider the mountain sacred and have blocked trucks from hauling construction equipment to Mauna Kea's summit for more than a month.
But Hawaii has advantages that scientists say make it slightly better: higher altitude, cooler temperatures, and rare star-gazing moments that will allow the cutting-edge telescope to reach its full potential.
"Every once in a while at Mauna Kea, you get one of those magic nights," said University of California, Santa Cruz astronomy and astrophysics professor Michael Bolte, a Thirty Meter Telescope board member. "When the air is super stable above the site, you get images that you simply couldn't get anyplace else."
Bolte, who has used existing Mauna Kea telescopes, said those "magic" Hawaii nights could hold discoveries that might be missed in La Palma.
"Let's suppose one of your big science cases is to look for life on planets that are orbiting other stars," he said. "The star is so much brighter than the planet you're trying to observe, it's really hard to do."
The advanced optics and huge size of the Thirty Meter Telescope, especially if built at Mauna Kea's higher altitude, could allow scientists to more easily detect potentially life-filled planets, Bolte said.
To see distant planets near bright stars, astronomers use telescopes to capture infrared light that emanates from the space objects.
But John Mather, an astrophysicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006 for his work on the Big Bang theory, says there are other ways to get that data.
Mather, the senior project scientist for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, planned for launch into space in 2021, said the new instrument will be extremely effective at gathering infrared light. The atmosphere won't get in the way of the telescope's imaging capabilities because it won't be on Earth.
Data from the Webb telescope can be combined with information from other Earth-based telescopes to compensate for the infrared advantage that Mauna Kea has over La Palma, Mather said.
He said Webb will open up "new territory that you'll never be able to tackle from the ground."
Mather is also working on a longer-term solution to the problem of seeing Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars, which he likened to seeing a "firefly next to a spotlight."
It's a large "star shade" that would be launched far into space and positioned to block bright stars while allowing telescopes on Earth to see the planets orbiting them.
Those advancements could level the playing field between places such as Mauna Kea and La Palma, said astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who chairs Harvard University's astronomy department.
"One thing that you need to keep in mind is that humans can change the system as to compensate for the slightly worse conditions" in Spain, Loeb said. "In the end, it might perform as well or maybe even better."
Loeb agreed that Mauna Kea is a slightly better location for infrared observations. But La Palma is "an excellent site, so there would be exceptional science done there," he added.
The Native Hawaiian opponents call themselves "protectors" of Mauna Kea and aren't concerned about their mountain's advantages for astronomers. They just want the telescope group to abandon Hawaii.
That would "be a win for everyone," said protest leader Kealoha Pisciotta shortly after Thirty Meter Telescope officials announced they would move forward with a building permit application for the La Palma site a few weeks ago.
"There's lots of good science to be done from the Canary Islands," Pisciotta said.
Not all Native Hawaiians are opposed to the telescope. Some tout the educational and economic opportunities it would bring to the Big Island. Others have compared modern astronomers to their Polynesian ancestors who used stars to navigate their wooden outriggers across the Pacific and discover new lands — including Hawaii.
Mauna Kea stands nearly 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) above sea level, more than twice as high as the Spanish site that is already home to the world's largest optical telescope. Like Hawaii's Big Island, the Spain site has good weather, a stable atmosphere and very little light pollution.
Thirty Meter Telescope would be a next generation model that's expected to transform ground-based astronomy — allowing scientists to see deeper into space than previously possible. Its large mirror will produce sharper, more detailed images of space.
"You can get images that are 12 times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope," Bolte said.
And most of the same science planned for Hawaii would still get done in Spain — it would just take longer.
"Depending on the kind of science you want to do, it's going to be a 10% hit to a 50% hit in speed," Bolte said. "You are going to have to observe that much longer at La Palma to get the same quality data."
José Manuel Vilchez, an astronomer with Spain's Higher Council of Scientific Research and a former member of the scientific committee of the Astrophysics Institute of the Canary Islands, said that building the telescope on La Palma would not be a downgrade.
"We are talking about the best of the best. One is a 10, the other is a 9.9," Vilchez said. "We are talking about decimals."
But for astronomers, decimals can make the difference between seeing something extraordinary and missing it.
"Mauna Kea, since it is higher, would have a thinner atmospheric layer and would observe more in certain infrared ranges," Vilchez said. "The possibility of capturing the image is lower" on La Palma.
Vilchez also said there is greater public support for the telescope in Spain and that the cost of operating it at a lower elevation would be cheaper.
On Mauna Kea "you are further away from the base and the cost goes up," Vilchez said. "In the Canary Islands the institutional support is 100% and 99% of citizens support the astronomy work."
That lack of opposition is something officials cannot claim for Mauna Kea.
The telescope group's Bolte said what began as opposition to the project has "become the focus of the whole Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination" movement and is a reflection of how Native Hawaiians have felt "displaced from their own lands" for over a century.
"Now that they have the attention of everyone by stopping this telescope, how can that be used to somehow take some steps forward in the well-being of Native Hawaiians?" he asked.
First published on August 25, 2019 / 10:35 PM
© 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hawaii or Spain? Why location might not matter for big telescope
Despite years of legal battles and protests, officials say Hawaii's highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best spot for the $1.4 billion instrument
6M ago 
Hong Kong protests turn dangerous after officer fires warning shot
Police drew their guns and fired a warning shot Sunday night after a group attacked them with sticks and rods, sparking an escalation in the summerlong protests
1H ago 
Tropical Storm Dorian gathering strength over the Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center said Sunday that Dorian could intensify to near hurricane strength over the eastern Caribbean Sea by Tuesday
1H ago 
Louisiana beats Curacao 8-0 to win Little League World Series
With Louisiana's victory, U.S. teams have won back-to-back Little League crowns for the first time since 2009
4H ago 
Iran's foreign minister makes surprise G-7 appearance
Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived as fissures emerged among G-7 leaders over how to deal with Iran
6H ago
Hawaii or Spain? Why location might not matter for big telescope
Despite years of legal battles and protests, officials say Hawaii's highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best spot for the $1.4 billion instrument
6M ago 
"America's Toughest Sheriff" Joe Arpaio seeking reelection
Now 87, the ex-sheriff became a national political figure by taking on duties like jailing inmates in tents and making them wear pink underwear
35M ago
Tropical Storm Dorian gathering strength over the Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center said Sunday that Dorian could intensify to near hurricane strength over the eastern Caribbean Sea by Tuesday
1H ago
Louisiana beats Curacao 8-0 to win Little League World Series
With Louisiana's victory, U.S. teams have won back-to-back Little League crowns for the first time since 2009
4H ago 
Jill Biden makes her pitch to rural voters in South Carolina
It was the first time a presidential surrogate had ever come to Great Falls, a small town in Chester County
5H ago
Jill Biden makes her pitch to rural voters in South Carolina
It was the first time a presidential surrogate had ever come to Great Falls, a small town in Chester County
5H ago
Iran's foreign minister makes surprise G-7 appearance
Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived as fissures emerged among G-7 leaders over how to deal with Iran
6H ago 
Klobuchar open to keeping military "footprint" in Afghanistan
Since a U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in 2001, U.S. troops have been entangled in what has become the longest war in American history
8H ago 
Graham warns Trump against "really risky" Afghanistan drawdown
Many of the Democrats vying to challenge the president in 2020 have vowed to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan
10H ago 
Kudlow: China is bearing the brunt of trade war with U.S
The White House economic adviser dismissed fears that reciprocal protectionist policies between the two economic giants will harm the American economy and precipitate a potential recession
11H ago 
Entertainment
Taylor Swift on her family's support of her career
At age 13 Taylor Swift was signed to a development deal by RCA Records. As she tells Tracy Smith in this web exclusive video, her family agreed to pull up stakes and move from Pennsylvania to Nashville for the sake of her career.
12H ago 00:30 
Taylor Swift on "Reputation"
In this web exclusive video Taylor Swift talked with Tracy Smith about her 2017 album "Reputation," which touched on celebrity and the pressures of fame and media attention.
12H ago 00:46 
Taylor Swift's thick skin
Web exclusive video: Taylor Smith explains to correspondent Tracy Smith how she's evolved a means to deal with critics.
updated 17M ago 00:49 
Taylor Swift on "Lover" and haters
The 10-time Grammy-winner – the highest-paid celebrity on the planet – opens up about songwriting, family, critics, the sale of her back catalog, and the quality of forgiveness
6H ago 
Taylor Swift on "Lover" and haters
After only 13 years since the release of her first album, Taylor Swift has become a musical force of nature, with an armload of #1 hits, more Grammy Awards than The Rolling Stones, and (according to Forbes) the distinction of being the highest-paid celebrity on the planet. By any measure, an astonishing young woman. But there were times, she tells Tracy Smith, that being young, and a woman, has worked against her. She opens up to Smith about songwriting; her supportive family; critics and stalkers; the sale of her back catalog; and what the future looks like to her. She also invites Smith on the set of the new music video for her latest album, "Lover."
10H ago 11:56
Hawaii or Spain? Why location might not matter for big telescope
Despite years of legal battles and protests, officials say Hawaii's highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best spot for the $1.4 billion instrument
6M ago 
"Twinfluencers" multiply on social media
"A little bit of that twin magic" can go a long way. Meet 3 sets of identical twins making it big on Instagram
14H ago 
Unpiloted Soyuz spacecraft aborts space station docking
Russian flight controllers hope to make a second docking attempt after troubleshooting
Aug 24 
"It's kinda crazy": Kid influencers make big money
Is it all in good fun — or unregulated child labor? These little influencers raise big questions
1H ago 
YouTube shuts over 200 channels with Hong Kong disinformation
The decision follows the suspension of hundreds of thousands of Twitter and Facebook accounts tied to the Chinese government
Aug 23
Hawaii or Spain? Why location might not matter for big telescope
Despite years of legal battles and protests, officials say Hawaii's highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best spot for the $1.4 billion instrument
6M ago 
Brazil officials call Amazon fire outrage "sensationalist"
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro encouraged development in the Amazon rainforest. Now he's calling global backlash "sensationalist"
Aug 23 
What you can do to help the burning Amazon rainforest
The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and vital to combating climate change — and it's on fire with no end in sight
Aug 23 
Nature up close: A trip to the American Museum of Natural History
Visiting New York City's Mecca for any natural history fanatic
Aug 23 
New York woman catches fish with 2 mouths
The catch was made in Lake Champlain, which is rumored to have its own Loch Ness-like sea monster
Aug 22 
Cracking the code of dyslexia
Researchers who say one in five children they studied was dyslexic have also found there is no link at all between dyslexia and intelligence
13H ago 
Illinois patient may be first vaping-related fatality in nation
At least 22 people have developed some type of respiratory illness after vaping or using e-cigarettes
Aug 24 
Officials investigate 193 lung disease cases among vapers
Officials are investigating 193 possible cases of severe lung illness associated with vaping in 22 states
Aug 24 
Ruth Bader Ginsburg completes radiation therapy
The radiation therapy was administered to treat a tumor on her pancreas
Aug 23 
Front lawn becomes a stage for house-ridden boy
Quinn Waters lives in a world all his own, but he's not lonely — not anymore
Aug 23 
Trump regrets not raising China tariffs higher, White House says
The president had earlier signaled some remorse for an escalating trade war with China at the G-7 summit in France
10H ago 
CBS poll on the economy: Optimism, but Trump tweets and trade raise concerns
New CBS News poll also finds partisanship plays a role in perceptions of Americans' financial situations
12H ago 
Walmart and other retailers face a new front on gun sales: Lawsuits
Nation's biggest retailer has settled with at least two families of people killed in a mass shooting
Aug 23
Kudlow: China is bearing the brunt of trade war with U.S
The White House economic adviser dismissed fears that reciprocal protectionist policies between the two economic giants will harm the American economy and precipitate a potential recession
11H ago 
Trump hiking U.S. tariffs on $550 billion in Chinese imports
Conflict takes a dangerous new turn as the Trump administration and China exchange blows over trade
Aug 24
"America's Toughest Sheriff" Joe Arpaio seeking reelection
Now 87, the ex-sheriff became a national political figure by taking on duties like jailing inmates in tents and making them wear pink underwear
35M ago 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos 
NASA astronaut caught in custody battle
It's a case testing the boundaries of law: A NASA astronaut is caught in an ugly divorce and custody battle. Anne McClain is being accused of identity theft in space. Janet Shamlian reports.
3H ago 01:19 
NASA probes possible space crime
Astronaut Anne McClain is facing the first allegation of a crime committed in space. McClain's estranged wife, Summer Worden, accused the astronaut of accessing her bank account while on a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
5H ago 00:44 
NASA investigating first allegation of crime in space
Anne McClain, a decorated astronaut who was slotted to be a part of the first-ever all-female spacewalk, was accused of accessing her estranged wife's bank account while aboard the International Space Station
4H ago
Hawaii or Spain? Why location might not matter for big telescope
Despite years of legal battles and protests, officials say Hawaii's highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best spot for the $1.4 billion instrument
6M ago
NASA probes possible space crime
Astronaut Anne McClain is facing the first allegation of a crime committed in space. McClain's estranged wife, Summer Worden, accused the astronaut of accessing her bank account while on a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
5H ago 00:44
NASA investigating first allegation of crime in space
Anne McClain, a decorated astronaut who was slotted to be a part of the first-ever all-female spacewalk, was accused of accessing her estranged wife's bank account while aboard the International Space Station
4H ago
Unpiloted Soyuz spacecraft aborts space station docking
Russian flight controllers hope to make a second docking attempt after troubleshooting
Aug 24 
Rocket launches GPS satellite into orbit for Air Force
The new satellite is the second in a new generation of advanced navigation beacons
Aug 22 
Ashley Fallis death: A family's fight for justice
Was the Colorado mother's 2012 death a suicide, as her husband maintains, or was it murder, as her parents insist?
Aug 24 15 photos 
World's most polluted cities
Air pollution can cause serious health problems for people who are exposed to it, even for just a few minutes
Aug 23 51 photos
Pictures from the Amazon rainforest fires
A record number of fires have devastated the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and neighboring countries
Aug 22 28 photos 
Jason Corbett murder: A look at the evidence
In August 2015, former FBI agent Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett admitted killing her Irish-born husband Jason Corbett, insisting they beat him in self-defense with a brick paver and a baseball bat because Jason was choking Molly and threatening to kill her
Aug 17 11 photos 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
Popular
Former NFL player Tim Green: Coping with ALS
The former Syracuse standout and Atlanta Falcon never shied away from acknowledging the dangers of football. Now, over 20 years after "60 Minutes" first met him, Green is suffering from a fatal ailment he may have seen coming. Steve Kroft reports.
updated 14M ago 14:25 
Who's responsible for the opioid epidemic?
Dr. Barry Schultz is serving 157 years in prison after he prescribed enough opioids for a prosecutor to call him one of Florida's "most notorious drug dealers." In this "60 Minutes" interview, Schultz says he's a scapegoat. Bill Whitaker reports.
updated 15M ago 13:36 
When cybercriminals hold data hostage
Targets have included hospitals and municipalities, but the FBI says anyone on the internet should expect to be attacked by cybercriminals. Scott Pelley reports.
updated 15M ago 12:04 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change – and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07
NASA astronaut caught in custody battle
It's a case testing the boundaries of law: A NASA astronaut is caught in an ugly divorce and custody battle. Anne McClain is being accused of identity theft in space. Janet Shamlian reports.
3H ago 01:19
