I remember reading about this in an old astronomy book I have.

Apparently the tribe was against putting the original observatories on Kitt Peak. So the astronomers invited the tribal chiefs to look at various celestial objects through a nearby telescope. After this they said the observatory construction could go ahead.

Have any current astronomers done the same for this tribe? It might make all the difference, instead of them thinking this is just another white man's plan to disregard another aspect of their culture and society.

I also remember reading about one astronomer who showed a woman - who was an anti-nuker protesting the Cassini launch - the planet Saturn through his telescope. She actually had to back away and tell him to stop because it might have changed her mind!

Just as I doubt that the anti-nuke woman knew much about nuclear physics and astronomy, I also have my doubts that the Kitt Peak tribe knows just what is going on with the observatory, or any observatory.

Perhaps both sides should forego the lawyers and just take a look through a decent-size telescope at the Universe and go from there.

Anybody know anyone there who this message can be sent to?