Spain’s Ambitious Bid for a Scientific Giant
In a significant move for international astronomy, Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, met this Tuesday with Robert Kirshner, Executive Director of the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO). The meeting, also attended by Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, served to formally present the Spanish government’s strong support for locating the groundbreaking telescope on the island of La Palma.
A €400 Million Investment in the Cosmos
The Spanish proposal includes a commitment to invest up to 400 million euros, managed through the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), on the condition that the “largest and most advanced telescope in the northern hemisphere” is built at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. “We are prepared to make one of the most ambitious investments in our recent scientific history,” Minister Morant emphasised. This colossal scientific instrument, with a primary mirror 30 metres in diameter, would allow astronomers to explore the universe with an unprecedented level of detail.
Why La Palma’s Chances Have Skyrocketed
For years, the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii has been the primary site choice for the TMT, with the peaks of La Palma considered the leading alternative. However, the prospects for the Canary Island have increased dramatically due to two key factors. Firstly, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced in a budget document to Congress that the TMT “will not advance to the Final Design Phase and will not receive an additional funding commitment from the NSF,” creating a major financial hurdle for the Hawaiian option.
Secondly, there is strong local opposition in Hawaii, where the proposed construction site on Mauna Kea is considered a sacred place by Native Hawaiians. This combination of financial uncertainty and social challenges has opened a clear window of opportunity for La Palma to become the ultimate home for this new window to the stars.
