Reporter Michael Wines on how a low-cost, but very large and productive, telescope modeled after one built a few years ago in Texas is not only doing good astronomy, but is a catalyst for public education. A big aim is to get more young South Africans, particularly blacks and coloreds whose parents were excluded by apartheid from science fields, not only excited but on track for PhD’s and a chance to use the new instrument. The story is appropriately longer on charm and the sociology of science than on its practice. The astro-savvy might however like to know more about why the telescope is relatively so cheap.
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