"Cyberattack Shutters Major NSF-Funded Telescopes for More Than 2 Weeks"

A cyber incident at a National Science Foundation (NSF) center coordinating international astronomy efforts knocked out key telescopes in Hawaii and Chile. Officials stopped all operations at ten telescopes. At a few others, only in-person observations are allowed. The incident, which was first announced on August 1, has forced research teams to devise alternatives as critical observation windows lessen. Multiple international projects, doctoral theses, and papers rely on data from the telescopes. Ground-based astronomical studies often rely on observations precisely timed for when extraterrestrial objects align with the field of view for specific telescopes. Astronomers try to plan for various delays, such as severe weather, power outages, or a shattered mirror, but hackers are often not factored into their calculations. This article continues to discuss the impact of the cyber incident on space telescopes. 

Science reports "Cyberattack Shutters Major NSF-Funded Telescopes for More Than 2 Weeks"