Haleakala Solar Telescope To Begin Construction

ATST Solar Telescope Construction Rendering. Courtesy: Ruth Kneale, Systems Librarian.

By Sonia Isotov

UH today announced that it has received the decision from the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources allowing for the construction of the new solar telescope on Haleakala.

The University of Hawai‘i received the Finding of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order for the Contested Case on the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST).

The decision, issued November 9, 2012 by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, reaffirms the granting of the December 2, 2010 Conservation District Use Permit for the construction of the ATST on Haleakala.

“The University is eager to move this $300-million project forward.  The Advanced Technology Solar Telescope is important both to the scientific community and to Hawaii’s economy,” said M.R.C. Greenwood, the University of Hawai‘i president, in a written statement.

“While we have not had the chance to completely review the Decision and Order, we are pleased that Board recognized the many benefits of the ATST and that the decision reaffirms the granting of the December 2, 2010 Conservation District Use Permit for the construction of the ATST on Haleakala,” said Günther Hasinger, the University of Hawai‘i’s Institute for Astronomy director.