Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jun 20, 2005 14:42:05 GMT -6
Native American Tribe Halts Telescope Project
TUCSON, Arizona (AP) _ The National Science Foundation agreed to halt construction of a $13 million mountainside telescope complex after an American Indian tribe filed a federal lawsuit claiming the site is sacred.
The foundation said it will work with the Tohono O'odham Nation to assess the environmental and cultural value of the Kitt Peak area before resuming work on what the lead scientist said would be the most advanced system of its kind in the northern hemisphere.
The new project, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System, would eventually include seven scopes and is meant to detect gamma rays coming from black holes, quasars and exploding stars.
About $1 million has already been spent to grade the site, install power lines and pour concrete foundations, and work continued on the telescopes offsite.
The government filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in May; the tribe's response is due next Friday
More here: www.space.com/news/050617_ap_observatory.html
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Well, I can understand the objection, but where was the research BEFORE any money was spent toward the project. Like Maddad says..."Must be the government."