Thirty
Meter Telescope: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
News: Recently,
Indian scientists developed an open-source tool to generate
infrared star catalogue for Thirty Meter Telescope.
What’s in the news?
·
It is a groundbreaking international
scientific project that aims to revolutionise our understanding of the
universe.
·
It will be the world’s most advanced
ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory.
·
It integrates cutting-edge innovations in
precision control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics.
·
At its core lies a segmented mirror
composed of 492 individual hexagonal segments, forming a single
light-collecting surface.
Key
Features
·
Mirror Size: When operational, the TMT’s light-collecting
primary mirror will be the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. Its 30-metre
mirror surpasses other planned extremely large telescopes.
·
Segmented Mirror: The mirror consists of 492 hexagonal segments,
each measuring 1.4 metres. These segments work together to create a powerful
light-gathering surface.
·
Location: The TMT is proposed to be built on Mauna
Kea, an iconic site on the island of Hawaiʻi.
o Mauna Kea’s high altitude and clear
skies make it an ideal location for astronomical observations.
Mission and Values
·
TMT operates based on the values of
respect, inclusion, and mutual stewardship. It embraces a community model of
astronomy, recognizing its responsibility to support and engage with local
communities.
·
The observatory seeks to advance
scientific knowledge while fostering connections among partner countries and
their citizens, representing over half the world’s population.
Future
Prospects
·
As the TMT project progresses, it
promises groundbreaking discoveries across various fields of astronomy.
·
Its segmented mirror technology, adaptive
optics, and precise control systems will enable
unprecedented observations of distant galaxies, exoplanets, and cosmic
phenomena.
·
India is a key partner in the TMT project, with India TMT
Center at Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) leading the
national collaboration.
Source:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2031841