$1.3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) gets approved

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The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) has received approval and is projected to cost at least $1 billion, with a significant milestone achieved through a new 5-year grant of $250,000 per year from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This funding is viewed as crucial for the project's advancement despite skepticism regarding the feasibility of telescopes larger than 20 meters. The TMT aims to push the boundaries of astronomical observation and technology, reflecting a belief in the limitless potential of scientific progress.

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The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), a giant observatory that astronomers hope to build by the end of this decade, is expected to cost at least $1 billion. So a grant of $1.25 million may seem miniscule. Nonetheless, the backers of TMT are viewing a new 5-year, $250,000-per-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a significant milestone.

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2013/03/thirty-meter-telescope-gets-smal.html
 
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I've once heard a senior astronomer claim that anything beyond 20 meters is technologically not feasable. But I hope they'll overcome all the difficulties, because this is just too exciting!
 
stargazer3 said:
I've once heard a senior astronomer claim that anything beyond 20 meters is technologically not feasable. But I hope they'll overcome all the difficulties, because this is just too exciting!

Hence, "senior" - Just like the Victorian minds (18-19th century) told Einstein that he was full of crap. Although this is merely one example. In my opinion, life will perpetually continue to advance technology into more complex and astounding measures.
There are only the limits we set and make real, the universe knows of no such limits.
 

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