The Thirty Meter

Telescope

December 12-16
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Intro to
TMT

Philosophers
Chairs

Teacher
Choice

DBQ
Writing

DBQ Writing
& Revision

Name: _____________________
This Packet is Due Friday December 16

Learning Target: I can understand what the Thirty

Meter Telescope is, and the controversies that
surround it

Do Now: Do you believe that the preservation of religion and culture or the
advancement of science is more important? Why?
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INTRO TO TMT NOTES:

SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE
1. What is the purpose of the TMT?

2. How does the telescope work? (ie. the mirrors)

3. Why do scientists want the telescope to be built on Mauna Kea?

HAWAIIAN PERSPECTIVE
1. Why do many protesters want the TMT project stopped?

2. What is the historical signi!cance of Mauna Kea?

Source A: Why We Should Build The TMT

The 14,000-foot-tall peak of Mauna Kea is one of native Hawaiians' most sacred sites,
but the thin, clear air o"ers an incredible view of the cosmos while being accessible to
workers and scientists. So it's arguably the best spot on Earth to build a telescope.
While some Hawaiian natives and astronomers have condemned the telescope, others
insist that we must build it. The question of whether to build TMT has dredged up
Hawaii's complicated past, pitted friends and families against one another, and
exposed racial insensitivity in the astronomy community.
The two schools of thought are colliding on and o" the summit, and compromise has
failed. Now a court case is winding its way through Hawaii's legal system and will
require a decision where one group gets shortchanged. But it seems clear we need to
build this telescope, even if it will taint sacred ground.
An economic blessing
TMT Corporation, the nonpro!t behind the telescope, estimates its project could
inject more than $150 million to Hawaii's economy and create 140 high-paying
engineering and tech jobs. It also says the construction plan has met all the legal and
environmental requirements. TMT put together a plan where, if it gets a 50-year lease
on Mauna Kea, it will usher in tons of jobs reserved for native Hawaiians and $150
million in community bene!ts.
TMT could change how we understand the universe
In addition to invigorating the economy of Hawaii, this telescope could launch the
state to the forefront of astronomy.
TMT's giant 30-meter mirror will capture more light than any other ground telescope,
and all that light will let us see farther out into the universe, and therefore farther
back into our universe's past.
The telescope will bring an unprecedented view of the cosmos and take pictures of
parts of the universe no one has ever seen. We'll be able to glimpse the very !rst stars
and galaxies that formed after the big bang. Astronomers call these "!rst light
objects" and they'll give us more insight into one of the most fundamental questions
of life: Where did we come from?
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TMT doesn't have a shot at answering that question if it's not built on Mauna Kea. The
summit sits above the cloud line providing a crystal-clear window into space. The dry
air will make it possible to take some of the sharpest images we've ever seen.
The future of Hawaii
The most harmful consequence of the protest movement is how it might in#uence
future investment in Hawaii. Critics of the protest movement say no one will want to
risk bankrolling a big project in the state if it could be met with the same kind of
resistance as TMT.
It's a shame that compromise has failed, and it all hinges on a court battle now.
"[The protesters] have said this time and again - they will be against it forever,"
Coleman said. "Which I think is kind of a silly thing to say, because what if TMT starts
running and everybody starts doing really well and loving the extra money that's
pouring into the economy, and more and more jobs are being dedicated to Hawaiian
people?"
Hawaiians have always been incredibly adaptable and forward-thinking people,
Coleman told me. They have always embraced new technology when it will bene!t
them and make life better for their people.
That's what TMT could do for Hawaii, if the people will let it.

Source B: Letter to the University of Hawaii

Aloha University of Hawaii Board of Regents,
I am in strong opposition to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope(TMT) and
the further desecration of our mauna (mountain).
Mauna Kea belongs to and is included in the Hawaiian Kingdom Crown lands. These
lands were seized by the United States Government. The same government that
imprisoned our Queen Liliuokalani and illegally occupied our aina(land) in 1893.
Until we address the illegal occupation of the United States and the illegal occupation
of these lands by the United States, I will be against any development done on and to
our aina.
In 1968, The University of Hawaii received a lease and permit to build an observatory
on Mauna Kea. During 1970-1974, they built six more telescopes. In the 1980s, the UH
Master plan included a long-term plan to include a total of 13 telescopes. In 1999, a
continuation of the master plan was established to include the Thirty Meter
Telescope. They have violated their lease and permit because they currently have 13
observatories on Mauna Kea; that includes telescopes(sub millimeter telescopes) and
satellites(arrays). Each of these observatories are sub leased to many countries and
institutions around the world. If they are in violation of their lease, Why is it okay for
them to build another telescope?
Please consider all the things that the people of Hawaii including a global community
of "Kapu Aloha" supporters are saying to you. Really consider it because were
looking out for the well being of future generations. If we continue to take advantage
of all the pristine aina that our kupuna have sustained for us all these generations,
we will end up with nothing.
I, Uilani Hayes, am in strong opposition to the construction of TMT and the further
desecration of our sacred mauna.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Uilani Hayes

PHILOSOPHERS CHAIRS
Pre-Work:
Reasons to build the TMT

Reasons to not build the TMT

Starting Opinion (circle one):

a. I believe the TMT should be built
b. I believe the TMT should not be built

Notes:

TMT Document-Based Question

Read the sources below, and write a multi-paragraph (at least three) essay that
answers the following prompt.
Should the telescope should be built on Mauna Kea? Why or why not?

Your answer must have a clear introduction, thesis, and conclusion, and you must use
at least three pieces of evidence.

Consider the Following Questions:

1. What is the historical signi!cance of Mauna Kea in Ancient Hawaiian History?
2. When is it ok to prioritize science over culture? When is it not?

Position (circle one):

c. I believe the TMT should be built
d. I believe the TMT should not be built

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