The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is an astronomical observatory under construction as of 2018 on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The TMT will be one of the largest and most advanced telescopes in the world, with a primary mirror measuring 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter and a collecting area equivalent to about 362 square meters (3,900 square feet). When completed, it will enable astronomers to study the universe with unprecedented clarity and sensitivity.
The TMT is a collaborative project between Caltech, the University of California, the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), and various institutions in Japan. Construction of the telescope began in April 2014. When completed, it will be operated by a partnership consisting of these same institutions.
The TMT will be located at an altitude of 4,050 meters (13,287 feet) on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. The site was chosen for its excellent atmospheric conditions, which are among the best on Earth for astronomical observations. The summit region is also home to many other world-class telescopes, including the W. M. Keck Observatory and NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility.
When completed, the TMT will allow astronomers to study objects ranging from nearby planets to some of the most distant galaxies in the universe. It will also provide new insights into dark matter and dark energy—two of the most enigmatic components of our cosmos. In addition, because of its large collecting area and high angular resolution, the TMT will be an ideal facility for investigating extrasolar planets—planets that orbit stars other than our Sun—and searching for evidence of life beyond our Solar System