http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... C_20150806HONOLULU—The mood is different this year at the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the largest gathering of astronomers, which meets every three years. Amid the usual scientific posters and talks on the history of the solar system and galaxy formation here at the Hawaii Convention Center are alert sentries at every entrance diligently screening for protesters. The normally benign field of astronomy finds itself embroiled in controversy around the planned construction of one of the world’s most powerful telescopes on the peak of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano with ideal conditions for observation that is also a sacred place to Native Hawaiians.
At least prima facie I'm tempted to take the side of the protesters but I'm not sure of all the details. There are apparently already observatories on the peak of Mauna Kea. So on the one hand it's nothing new to have another one up there. On the other hand it sort of seems like we all need another astronomical observatory on a mountain peak in Hawaii like we all need another shopping mall in the US. Really wish we could curb land "development" more.
