Mauna Kea: Telescope vs. Tradition
Mauna Kea: Telescope vs. Tradition
Mauna Kea is a tall mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii. It's not just any mountain; it's a sacred place for many Native Hawaiians. They believe it's the home of their gods and ancestors. But, Mauna Kea is also one of the best places in the world to build telescopes because it has very clear and dark skies.
A Special Place for Telescopes
Scientists want to build more telescopes on Mauna Kea, including a really big one called the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Telescopes help us see far into space and learn about stars, planets, and the universe. Mauna Kea is a great spot because it's high up, above most of the clouds and pollution that block our view. This means telescopes there can take very clear pictures of space.
Concerns and Arguments
However, building on Mauna Kea is causing a lot of debate. Many Native Hawaiians are worried about the desecration of their sacred mountain. They don't want more construction and equipment on a place they consider holy. Some people also worry about the environment. Building telescopes can damage the land and the unique plants and animals that live there.
- Sacred:
- Holy; connected to religion.
- Desecration:
- To damage or disrespect a holy place.
- Telescope:
- A tool to see far away things, like stars.
- ancestors:
- Family members who lived a very long time ago.
- debate:
- A discussion or argument where people express different opinions about a topic.
- environment:
- The natural world around us, including the land, air, plants, and animals.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why is Mauna Kea considered a sacred place by Native Hawaiians?
- 2What makes Mauna Kea a good location for building telescopes?
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About this opinion / argumentative passage for Upper Elementary
“Mauna Kea: Telescope vs. Tradition” is a opinion / argumentative reading passage about Environmental Science, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (333 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.