Exploring the Universe

      More Letters From Paradise
       Exploring the Universe
We should all remember how our understanding of the universe was greatly increased by the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo.  The Earth was not the center of the universe, but simply revolved around the sun.  The Catholic Church persecuted Galileo, and forced him with the threat of torture, to recant.  But, under his breath he was said to have remarked, "Nevertheless, it is so."  Armed with his telescope he also observed the rings around Saturn.

I was reminded of this when I saw recently a photo of the Earth taken from Saturn. A big ball floating alone in space.  And, we have been to the moon, and Mars is being explored.

When I was up on Mauna Kea recently, I bought a CD showing the sky as seen by the Keck telescope. It is astonishing, the vastness of space, the billions of stars, the bright colors.  All who have viewed this DVD, agree that it is incomprehensible.

Shortly after returning from my trip up to Mauna Kea, a local t.v.station had a short clip about replacing mirrors on the telescope. Very difficult operation, and no room for any error.

And, now I read in the morning paper that the largest telescope in the world will be built up on Mauna Kea. The mirror will be about 100 ft. in diameter, and it will be housed in a dome 180 ft. high.  Construction will begin in April and completion date is 2022.   Cost $1.3 billion.  Project design and financing from TMT, a non-profit corporation, along with Canadian Universities, and scientists from Japan, China, and India.

Not everyone here in Hawaii is pleased with the erection of this new telescope.   Some Hawaiian students and faculty are against the project.   They say that Mauna Kea is sacred, and should be respected.   But with this new telescope scientists will be able to explore forming galaxies at the very edge of the observable universe, near the beginning of time.
So in conclusion, "Hey, universe, here's looking at you."
                Aloha
                Grant