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" The next generation of ground-based telescopes will be able to peer into some of the most distant reaches of the universe, and even maybe directly image a few exoplanets, too. Now the Thirty Meter Telescope is one step closer to breaking ground, thanks to a $243 million injection from the Canadian government.  Right now, the biggest telescope is the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias in the Canary Islands of Spain. But the Thirty Meter Telescope is one of three planned telescopes that will blow away that size.The aptly named European Extremely Large Telescope will measure 39.4 meters across. The Giant Magellan Telescope, the smallest of the trio, still will more than double the Canarias telescope at a planned 24.5 meters.  The Thirty Meter Telescope is planned for construction at the Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii, and will be jointly operated by the US, Japan, India, China, and Canada. Canada had, as of last year, withheld funding for its part of the project, jeopardizing the construction.  However, the telescope is being met with a wave of protests from native Hawaiians who regard the land as sacred. It was believed to be the home of the goddess Poliahu in Hawaiian mythology, and is the resting site of many historically important Hawaiians. Source: Motherboard "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/telescopes/a14970/thirty-meter-telescope-canada-funding/>