TMT construction begins Monday 15 July

[TomK]

Another interesting article about TMT funding. It's obviously as little one-sided, but it makes some very good points:
https://www.science20.com/hontas_farmer/...him-257479
 
"Astronomy, it seems, finds itself at the mercy of political caprice and economic machinations yet again. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), once poised to revolutionize observational astronomy from the unparalleled vantage point of Mauna Kea, faces cancellation. Not due to heartfelt protest by everyday Hawaiians, but under the blunt axe wielded by the DOGE-driven economic philosophy championed by Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, with Elon Musk's tacit endorsement (at least until his next ketamine-infused revelation)."

In separate but related news, the proposed funding cuts are reportedly expected to be "catalytic." I have no idea what that means.

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-co...-catalytic

"So pro-astronomy people and supporters, I believe, will double, triple their efforts. Conversely, those who oppose it are also doubling their efforts. This type of announcement at this scale is going to be catalytic to everyone that cares about the Mauna."