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RICARDO ARDUENGO via Getty Images
The receiving platform (weighing approximately 900 t), including the Gregorian Dome over the center of the huge Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, fell and collapsed. In August and November, the Arecibo Observatory suffered two accidents in which the supporting branch of the structure was cut, damaging the 305 m diameter reflector, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), which has operated the observatory. He revealed that for security reasons, he would put a point in the 57-year history of this observatory.
The instrument platform of the 305-m telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico fell overnight. No injuries were reported. NSF is working with stakeholders to assess the situation. Our top priority is maintaining security. NSF will release more details when they are confirmed. pic.twitter.com/Xjbb9hPUgD
– National Science Foundation (@NSF) December 1, 2020
According to NSF, the fall of the platform was due to the destruction of the three towers that support it. The cables that hold them have also fallen and the damage to the reflector has been further aggravated.
The area around the facility was already off-limits, except for engineers who assessed safety, and no one was injured. The University of Central Florida (UCF), which operates the NSF and the Arecibo Astronomical Observatory, will assign personnel for the environmental assessment beginning the day after the accident, and the observatory workers will take safety measures.
As previously reported, repair and restoration work will continue to be carried out on surrounding facilities damaged by the hurricane, such as the 12m telescope used for radio astronomy research and the LIDAR facility used for geospatial research.
The NSF said it was “saddened” by the collapse and “we will look for ways to maintain a strong relationship with the people of Puerto Rico with the support of the scientific community.”
It was known as the largest radio telescope in the world until the construction of China’s 500m Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in 2016, and it appeared in such films as “007 Golden Eye” and “Contact”, which is the name of this characteristic observatory. There must be many people who have seen it without knowing it. It’s a shame that it collapses. According to the New York Times, after the cable cut in November, another structural support cable was found to be broken on the 24th, making it difficult to maintain its shape in terms of strength. And it seems.
source: NSF
via: New York Times
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