07-28-2025, 12:01 AM
I know nothing about the site, and I suspect no one has done a site inspection either. It's high (above 4000 meters) and probably dark, but it has higher mountains nearby so that I would be concerned about seeing, or more accurately, the delivered image quality. However, it's not until it's measured that we know.
Before deciding on a site, you also need to be aware of the local weather conditions. How many clear nights a year does it get? Are high winds a problem? Is there local terrain turbulence? Then you have the more mundane but equally important issues about accessibility. Can people live nearby? Where's the nearest airport? Is power available? Are there roads? Communications? Basic infrastructure, in other words.
The TMT and existing telescopes underwent this process, which takes years. It's why the TMT chose Hawaii and why the observatories on Mauna Kea are located there; there is no better site for astronomy when all the above factors are considered. So I think all I can say is that the site is likely dry and dark, but that's about it.
Not sure if that helps you!
Before deciding on a site, you also need to be aware of the local weather conditions. How many clear nights a year does it get? Are high winds a problem? Is there local terrain turbulence? Then you have the more mundane but equally important issues about accessibility. Can people live nearby? Where's the nearest airport? Is power available? Are there roads? Communications? Basic infrastructure, in other words.
The TMT and existing telescopes underwent this process, which takes years. It's why the TMT chose Hawaii and why the observatories on Mauna Kea are located there; there is no better site for astronomy when all the above factors are considered. So I think all I can say is that the site is likely dry and dark, but that's about it.
Not sure if that helps you!