Welcome to the official environmental review page for a potential future NSF investment in the Thirty Meter Telescope.
News release from National Science Foundation, Dec. 9, 2024
The U.S. National Science Foundation environmental team has received a few inquiries regarding an external panel that was convened in July 2024 and tasked with looking at topics such as financial resources, partnerships and governance related to the proposed US Extremely Large Telescope projects (i.e., the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)). The panel's work was not related to the environmental review of the proposed TMT. The panel's final report was issued Dec. 9, 2024 and is available at https://new.nsf.gov/news/statement-nsf-director-sethuraman-panchanathan-release-us.
[Note that the original posting of this update erroneously stated that the panel topics related to the US Extremely Large Telescope “Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)” projects; the above text has since been corrected to read that they relate to both proposed US Extremely Large Telescope projects: the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Thirty Meter Telescope.]
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Statement from NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on the release of the U.S. Extremely Large Telescope External Evaluation Panel Report
News release from National Science Foundation, Dec. 9, 2024
The U.S. National Science Foundation is grateful to the panel of independent experts commissioned to evaluate the readiness of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), components of the U.S. Extremely Large Telescopes (U.S.-ELT) program, to advance into Final Design Phase. The Extremely Large Telescopes are exceptionally important projects that remain among the highest priorities of the astronomy community. They are also key to the United States' continued leadership in astronomy and place at the vanguard of innovation in science and engineering. NSF agrees with the panel's findings that the success of the U.S.-ELT program hinges on securing the necessary resources from Congress. NSF is grateful for the sustained significant bi-partisan support and looks forward to continuing to work with the White House, Congress and the community to be able to advance to the next phase of the process.
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US ELT External Evaluation Panel Report December 9, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In July 2024, the Director of the US National Science Foundation convened an external panel to assess the readiness of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), parts of the US Extremely Large Telescope (US-ELT) Program, to move into the major facility Final Design Phase (FDP). The panel examined eight key aspects, including scientific merit, risk management, public engagement and governance, as well as the financial impact on NSF of supporting these projects.
Realization of at least one ELT is deemed essential for maintaining U.S. leadership in astronomy an education, as access to international alternatives is limited, particularly for early-career researchers Both GMT and TMT have strong leadership, partnership and financial commitments but require $1.6 billion in NSF funding to proceed. Without this support, significant delays or project cancellations may result. The panel emphasized the critical need for congressional support, noting that without additional appropriations, NSF may face challenges balancing these projects with other national priorities, risking U.S. competitiveness in fundamental research….
PDF: Final Report -- "construction of TMT on Maunakea hinges on continued engagement with, and ultimately the approval of, the local communities" -- "some of those who formerly protested the siting of a telescope on Maunakea and wanted TIO to leave Hawaii are now asking them to stay, owing to the impact of E&O activities on their children and communities."