A huge arecibo radio telescope, a place for astronomers in the mountains of Puerto Rico, has collapsed, the National Science Foundation said Tuesday.
The telescope’s 900-ton receiver platform, which was suspended by cables connected to three towers, fell overnight on a 1000-foot antenna dish, the foundation said.
“The platform collapsed unexpectedly,” said Joshua Chamotte, a spokesman for the foundation, who owns the telescope at the Are Resibo Observatory. Officials said they are evaluating the fall before releasing further details. They did not mention when the platform collapsed or why.
“As we move forward, we will find ways to help the scientific community and maintain strong relationships with the people of Puerto Rico,” the foundation said on Twitter.
The foundation announced on November 19 that the binoculars had to be turned down after the auxiliary cable was pulled out of its socket and left 100 feet of gas in the bottom dish. The observatory is operated by the University of Central Florida.
“The decision was made after multiple evaluations by independent engineering companies by the NSF which found that the telescope structure was in danger of catastrophic failure and its cables may no longer be able to carry the load designed to support them.”
On November 24, the foundation said engineers noticed more breaks in the wires of the remaining cables connected to a tower with a platform.
The observatory has served as a catalyst for the discovery of alien cultures, and astronomers have used it to track killer asteroids.
For nearly six decades, the observatory has been a popular tool for radio astronomy and planetary research, and it has great cultural significance for Puerto Ricans. Many said they were inspired By the observatory to build a career in science and technology.
The telescope was involved in popular culture and was featured in movies such as “Contact” and the James Bond film “Golden Eye”.
The telescope flashed signals in and out of space, making it possible to collect unknown details about the solar system’s planets, said Catherine Niesch, an assistant professor of earth sciences at the University of Western Nantorio.
One of his earliest feats, in 1967, the discovery that Mercury rotated in 59 days, was not originally thought by astronomers, 88.
“It was an incredible piece of technology,” said Dr. Nishe.
But after years of hurricane damage and financial weakness, questions were raised about the future of the observatory.
Residents and astronomers in Puerto Rico called on the foundation to repair the telescope instead of tearing it down.
Prior to the collapse, about 60,000 people had signed a petition urging structural agencies to find a way to stabilize the constitution.
But Ranton Tomasetti, an engineering firm hired by the University of Central Florida to evaluate the telescope, said the chances of the second cable failing were too high to justify repair work.
“While we are saddened by this recommendation, we believe that the control route should be broken down as soon as possible in a practical way,” Pay firm said in a letter to the university and the foundation.
On social media, scientists and Puerto Ricans who are remembering to visit the observatory Mourned on binoculars after the fall
“This is a tremendous loss to our scientific ability,” said Justin Kugler, aerospace engineer. Said on Twitter. “The United States needs to develop a plan for a successor radio telescope based on Arecibo’s legacy and this honors Puerto Rico’s commitment over many years.”
Dr Nishe, a professor at the University of Western Ontario, said the damage to the telescope was not only devastating, but also surprised scientists who believed the foundation could have done more to save it.
“It wasn’t inevitable,” he said of the fall. “If they had maintained it properly, it probably wouldn’t have happened.”
“It’s such an obscure ending,” he added. “She’s very sad about it.”
Dennis Overby contributed to the report.
