Future of Thirty Meter Telescope Uncertain as Funding Withdrawn

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), intended to be the largest optical telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, faces an uncertain future as the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced it will no longer provide funding for the project. In its recent budget proposal submitted to Congress, the NSF indicated that financial resources would be directed solely towards the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), leaving the TMT without support.

The decision marks a significant setback for the TMT, which has been in development since 2014 and was planned to be built on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. With its 30-meter diameter mirror, the TMT would surpass the existing astronomical facilities in the region. However, the project has faced persistent opposition, resulting in multiple delays. Protests from local Native Hawaiian communities, who regard Mauna Kea as a sacred site, have been a major factor in halting construction. Legal battles have previously ruled in favor of the TMT, yet new protests and the blocking of access roads have consistently stalled progress.

In contrast, the GMT is moving forward with preparations for construction in the Atacama Desert of Chile, situated in the Southern Hemisphere. This initiative is backed by a coalition of universities and research institutions from the United States, Asia, South America, and Australia. The NSF had previously indicated that it could only finance one of the two ambitious projects, and with the GMT already underway, the future of the TMT has become all the more precarious. The GMT is expected to begin operations in the next decade.

Project managers for the TMT expressed disappointment regarding the NSF's decision but remain committed to exploring future options for the telescope. They argue that Mauna Kea's location is optimal for astronomical observations in the Northern Hemisphere, labeling the project as one of the most compelling opportunities for scientific advancement in a generation. Discussions about the TMT's future may reopen the suggestion to relocate the project to the Canary Islands, a proposition that has been on the table for years. Whether this alternative will gain traction remains to be seen.