Astronomers Overcome 'Aperture Envy'

摘要

Last year, Michael Castelaz published an extrapolation that would change the face of astronomy if it ever came to pass. With his tongue firmly in his cheek, the East Tennessee State University astronomer examined the trend toward building bigger and bolder ground-based telescopes in the United States. Funding agencies would pay for their operation by shutting down smaller instruments, he predicted, eventually leading to a $1.2 billion, 42-meter "Ultimate Telescope" at the expense of all other facilities. Just 44 astronomers per year would have access to this behemoth, Castelaz wrote, noting that "at least journals would be a bit lighter."