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TMT project rejects La Palma site for Hawaii

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What changed

2026-09-21 09:28 UTC → 2026-09-29 12:45 UTC · added removed

Thirty Meter Telescope site selection in TMT project rejects La Palma site for Hawaii

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project has faced significant setbacks regarding its potential installation in La Palma. Initially, construction activities at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory were halted because partners of the TMT International Observatory (TIO) failed to reach a consensus on a financial proposal from the Spanish government. Spain had offered a funding package of up to 1 billion euros, involving the European Investment Bank and the Official Credit Institute, to support the observatory. However, Despite the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities structuring this through the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), the international consortium ultimately rejected La Palma as a site, opting instead to maintain Hawaii as the definitive location. site. Robert Kirshner, executive director of the TMT International Observatory, informed Spanish officials that the consortium could not accept the Spanish proposal despite the scientific excellence of the Canary Islands facilities. While Kirshner described the Spanish offer as ‘innovative and solid,’ he attributed the rejection to the complexity of financing a large-scale scientific project across multiple nations over a projected 50-year lifespan. The partners—comprising Japan, India, the United States, and Canada—have indicated they will return to their original preferred location in Maunakea, Hawaii. Following the decision, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) reaffirmed its commitment to scientific development at the observatory, intending to continue promoting other international infrastructures such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) and the European Solar Telescope (EST).

Versions

  1. 2026-09-29 12:45 UTC TMT project rejects La Palma site for Hawaii
  2. 2026-09-21 09:28 UTC Thirty Meter Telescope site selection in La Palma

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