Thirty Metre Telescope proposed in Hanle, Ladakh
Q. The Thirty Metre Telescope proposed in Ladakh has funding from which of the following?
1) Russia
2) Japan
3) Canada- Published on 28 Apr 16a. 1, 2
b. 1, 3
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 2, 3
- TMT is an international project being funded by scientific organisations of Canada, China, India, Japan and USA.
- The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is the joint responsibility of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) from India.
- While Mauna Kea, Hawaii is the preferred choice for the TMT project, given the large investments that have already been made and committed, the project is also looking at alternate sites both in the northern and southern hemispheres. Hanle, Ladakh is one of the sites being evaluated for hosting the telescope.
- Hanle being the protected area in the state of J&K, the project requires clearances from State and Central agencies such as environmental, defence, external affairs and home affairs.
- TMT will enable scientists to study fainter objects far away from us in the Universe, which gives information about early stages of evolution of the Universe.
- Also, it will give us finer details of not-so-far-away objects like undiscovered planets and other objects in the Solar System and planets around other stars.
- TMT being the largest optical and infrared telescope in the northern hemisphere will enable several discoveries which will surely inspire future generations.
- Project will also provide state-of-the-art high end technologies to the country, which would benefit a number of industries and R&D centers in the country.
