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Hawaii's Supreme Court Approves Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope
Hawaii top court approves controversial Thirty Meter Telescope [bbc.com]
Hawaii's Supreme Court has approved construction of what will be one of the world's largest single telescopes, on the controversial site of Mauna Kea.
Work on the $1.4bn (£1bn) Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) had paused in 2015 after protests from some native Hawaiians, to whom the land is sacred.
The state's top court ruled 4-1 in favour of the scientists on Tuesday.
Mauna Kea already has 13 telescopes; activists say their construction has interfered with cultural practices.
For years, protesters - including some environmentalists - have said building what is planned to be the world's biggest telescope on a site already saturated with observatories would further desecrate and pollute the sacred mountain.
On Tuesday, Hawaii's Governor David Ige thanked the top court for its ruling in a statement, saying he believes the decision is "fair".
Previously: Protests Temporarily Halt Thirty-Meter Telescope's Construction in Hawaii [soylentnews.org]
Hawaiian Court Revokes Permit for Construction of Thirty-Meter-Telescope [soylentnews.org]
Thirty Meter Telescope Considering Move as Hawaii Officials Open Hearing [soylentnews.org]
Related: National Academies Report Urges Increased Study of Exoplanets in Order to Search for Alien Life [soylentnews.org]
