Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy, have announced a significant investment in four innovative telescope projects, collectively called the Schmidt Observatory System. Among these, the space-based telescope named Lazuli stands out as a potential successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope, promising enhanced capabilities for astronomical research. The Schmidts are funding these projects to support scientific advancements that might not receive government or private sector backing, potentially revolutionizing the field of astronomy and astrophysics. This matters because it represents a shift back to private funding for groundbreaking scientific instruments, potentially accelerating discoveries in space exploration.
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