Native Hawaiian activists continue to camp out on Mauna Kea, on the watch for construction crews coming to build the Thirty Meter Telescope. Just after dawn broke Friday, a woman danced to a mele celebrating Mauna Kea more than 9,000 feet up. Dozens of people watched in silence, some wiping away tears. The mountain’s peaks grew clearer as fog receded.
It was Day 16 of a protest against the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, a $1.4 billion project planned as one of the world’s most advanced observatories. The telescope would be the 14th on the mountain, adding 140 jobs and boosting the state’s $167 million astronomy industry. But Native Hawaiian activists have gathered for the past two weeks to hinder construction crews, camping each night on the mountain in spite of the harsh cold, in opposition to what they consider desecration of the land. (4/10)
US, Chile to 'Officially' Kick Off LSST Construction (Source: NSF)
From distant exploding supernovae and nearby asteroids to the mysteries of dark matter, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) promises to survey the night skies and provide data to solve the universe's biggest mysteries. On April 14, news media are invited to join the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and other public-private partners as they gather outside La Serena, Chile, to "officially" launch LSST's construction in a traditional Chilean stone-laying ceremony. (4/9)
This is International Dark Sky Week (Source: IDA)
Created in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow, International Dark Sky Week has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. Each year it is held in April around Earth Day and Astronomy Day. This year celebrations begin Monday, April 13, and run through Sunday, April 19.
In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. … I want to help preserve its wonder." International Dark Sky Week draws attention to the problems associated with light pollution and promotes simple solutions available to mitigate it. (4/11)
Despite Recession, Russians' Support for Space Program High as Ever (Source: Moscow Times)
Popular support for Russia's space program is as strong as ever, even as an economic crisis pushes greater numbers of Russians into poverty, according to a poll published Friday. The survey by the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VTsOM) found that 47 percent of respondents wanted the nation's space program to be expanded, despite the current economic hardships.
Forty percent said the current commitment to space exploration is appropriate, while 8 percent said expenditures should be cut, according to VTsOM. The government last May promised to spend 1.8 trillion rubles ($35 billion) on the space program through 2020. The poll comes as Western sanctions on Russia over Ukraine and a sharp fall in the price of oil, Russia's main export, have combined to lower Russians' standard of living. Average real wages in February were 9.9 percent less than in February 2014. (4/11)
Brightman, Japanese Backup ISS Tourist to Train at ESA, NASA (Source: RBTH)
British singer Sarah Brightman is training at Zvyozdny Gorodok (Star City) outside Moscow for a flight to the International Space Station. She will continue her training and exercises at the European Space Agency (ESA) next week. "Brightman will undergo a training course at the European Space Agency April 13-16." a source said. Brightman's training at NASA is also scheduled for June 22-26. Her backup, Satoshi Takamatsu, will train on the same schedule. (4/11)
Dragon to Deliver Research Supplies and Caffeine Boost to Space Station (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Monday’s scheduled launch will act as an errand runner for the International Space Station and the Dragon resupply spacecraft is loaded up with research equipment. This delivery will bring an array of supplies to help assist astronauts perform experiments while in space. Let's take a look at some of the research happening at the world's laboratory in orbit. Click here. (4/11)
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