Science
How the famed Arecibo telescope fell—and how it might rise again – Science Magazine
Engineering failures and a harsh climate conspired in telescope’s sudden collapse
On 1 December 2020, the 900-ton instrument platform of the Arecibo Observatory crashed into its dish, which is cradled in a natural sinkhole.
RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
By Daniel CleryJan. 14, 2021 , 11:52 AM
In the early morning of 10 August 2020, Sravani Vaddi, a postdoc astronomer at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, was working from home, but her thoughts were at Arecibos giant radio telescope. At 2 a.m., she had one precious hour to focus the 305-meter dish on NGC 7469, a…
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