Jul 17, 2021 - Science
2. The fight over the Thirty Meter Telescope reveals science's shortcomings
Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios, Telescope rendering: TMT International Observatory
The yearslong fight to stop the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii has laid bare the fractured relationships between researchers and the communities they rely on for science.
Why it matters: At almost 14,000 feet, the dormant volcano is a coveted location for astronomers looking to answer deep questions about the universe. But for many Native Hawaiians, it's a sacred place that has already been desecrated by past telescopes.