HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SPP-2022-000025 G. Bower Testimony 01.04.23 DISTRIBUTED AT 1-6-23
WPC HEARING ITEM #2
ASIAA (PL-SPP-2022-025)
From: Geoffrey Bower TESTIMONY - G. BOWER
To: WPCtestimony
Cc: Mina-Tana Chen
Subject: Support Letter
Date: Wednesday,January 4,2023 12:52:58 PM
Attachments: Windward Plannina Commission Summort Letter.mdf
Dear Members of the Windward Planning Commission,
Please find attached my letter in support of the Application for a Special Permit by
ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (PL-SPP-
2022-000025) for temporary operation of two radio astronomy arrays in the Ka`u District.
Cheers,
Geoffrey Bower
Geoffrey Bower
-Chief Scientist for Hawaii Operations, Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and
Astrophysics
-Project Scientist, Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration
-Affiliate Graduate Faculty, UH Manoa Physics and Astronomy
gbower(g4.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw
ASIAA
645 N. A'ohoku PI
Hilo, HI 96720
+1 (808) 961-2945 (office)
+1 (510) 847-1722 (cell)
ACADEMIA SINICA
Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics
4 January 2023
Dear Members of the Windward Planning Commission,
I am writing in support of the Application for a Special Permit by ACADEMIA
SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (PL-SPP-2022-
000025) for temporary operation of two radio astronomy arrays in the Ka`u District.
I am Chief Scientist for Hawaii Operations for ASIAA,Affiliate Graduate Faculty at
UH Manoa Physics and Astronomy, and Project Scientist for the Event Horizon
Telescope Collaboration. I have made frequent use of astronomical facilities on
Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa throughout my career. My work has included creation of
the first images of black holes with the Mauna Kea facilities the Submillimeter Array
(SMA) and James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT)in collaboration with a global
network of radio telescopes. I participated in the process of sharing a Hawaiian name,
Powehi, for the M87 black hole in 2019. I am a contributor to community science
and education efforts, including through my role as a Board member for the Hawaii
Science and Technology Museum. I have worked in Hawaii for 9 years and live here
with my family.
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are among the most exciting areas of study in modern
astrophysics. FRBs are millisecond-duration pulses of extremely intense radiation
that occur in the distant Universe. Our new radio arrays are designed to understand
the origins of these bursts and use them to study the structure and composition of the
Universe. This is a relatively new field in astrophysics and we expect that there are
many exciting opportunities for discovery in the coming decade.
Our Kau site makes use of unique geographic features that will significantly enhance
the scientific achievements. First,the natural shielding provided by the high
mountains surrounding the site and the isolation from population centers protects us
from the effects of human-generated radio signals, also known as radio frequency
interference(RFI). RFI can obscure FRBs making them undetectable, in the same
way that light pollution prevents us from seeing the visible light from stars. Second,
the mid-Pacific location of our telescopes allows us to see parts of the sky when they
are invisible to other observatories around the world. This will create the opportunity
to make unique discoveries and to be the connector between FRB observatories from
North America and Asia.
These telescope arrays will provide an opportunity for community and student
education in a scientific domain not currently well-represented in Hawaii. These
telescopes also represent a diversification of astronomy activity in Hawaii and will
support local employment.
I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this permit application.
ACADEMIA SINICA
Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Sincerely,
Geoffrey C. Bower
Chief Scientist for Hawaii Operations,ASIAA
Project Scientist, Event Horizon Telescope
Affiliate Graduate Faculty, UH Manoa Physics and Astronomy
_gbowerkasiaa.sinica.edu.tw
Tel: +1 808 9612965