Earth's Most Important Telescopes Are Being Shut Down
By An Unknown Force
Story by Sckylar Gibby-Brown •
14h
Earth's Most Important Telescopes Are Being Shut Down
By An Unknown Force
Story by Sckylar Gibby-Brown •
14h
© Provided by Giant Freakin Robot
Cyber attackers are targeting National Science
Foundation (NSF) telescopes, and no one knows why.
According to Science.org, since the beginning of
August, an unknown “cyber incident” has disrupted an
NSF center tasked with coordinating international
astronomy efforts. The attacks have disconnected
telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, preventing scientists
from conducting research during important observation
windows.
The NSF-run coordinating center for ground-based
astronomy, known as NOIRLab, reported the apparent
cyberattack on August 1. The Gemini North telescope in
Hilo, Hawaii, operated by the International Gemini
Observatory, was the first to be affected.
The quick response from NOIRLab’s cybersecurity team
and observing teams managed to prevent any physical
damage to the observatory, but the incident prompted
the shutdown of operations at both the Gemini North and
its twin, Gemini South, located on Cerro Pachón
mountain in Chile.
The shutdown has caused researchers to miss critical
observation windows, impacting international projects,
doctoral theses, and ongoing research.
NOIRLab’s computer systems typically allow astronomers
to remotely operate various ground-based telescopes.
However, on August 9, the center disconnected its
computer network from the Mid-Scale Observatories (MSO)
network on Cerro Tololo and Cerro Pachon, rendering
remote observations impossible at the Víctor M. Blanco
4-meter and SOAR telescopes. Additionally, the shutdown
has affected eight other affiliated telescopes in
Chile. More at link
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