The telescope was also featured in a James Bond movie instigating its importance and popularity even further.
The telescope has supposedly faced irreparable damage over the last few years, and now the only option that remains with the authorities is to shut it down. The facility at Arecibo is about to shut down the mammoth telescope permanently.
The damage supposedly came as the two main cables which supported the telescope broke down catastrophically one after the other.
The first cable broke down in August, and soon after, the second one gave away in November. The engineers have claimed that it’s impossible to repair the damage in time, and for everyone’s safety, the facility has to shut down.
The news came as a shock to many as it is considered a veteran in the field. It is said to be the most productive telescope in history for astronomical sciences. The scientists can’t help but mourn over its loss.
A former director at the facility says that this event is unfathomable, and the loss of this iconic telescope is “just unbelievable.”
The astrologists who used this facility often and the telescope can’t comprehend this event well either. One of such astrologists, Abel Mendez, says that it’s devastating news.
History of the telescope
The telescope was built in 1963. It was the largest radio telescope in the world at the time and for decades maintained its status.
Arecibo’s telescope has aided in the initial days of modern astronomy and provided valid evidence to prove highly modern theories and space bodies.
The first-ever interstellar radio message sent for any possible extraterrestrial existences out there was also from this very telescope. The message was sent in 1974 to see if there is a being able to comprehend and return the signals in any readable format for modern science.
The first extrasolar panel was also discovered via this telescope in 1992.
This very telescope has also studied the asteroids that nearly hit our atmosphere for decades. The celestial blasts called radio blasts, which were confusing but essential to know about, were detected with this very telescope.
These studies and their findings which were a pioneer in the field of astronomy in the modern era have all shut down forever now.
The damage taken
The massive telescopic frame was supported by these cables, which gave way in the last few months. They supported a 900-ton platform. The platform hangs above the primary dish antenna and provides access to the scientific instruments.
The first cable detached in early August and smashed the platform’s panels at the edge of the dish.
The second cable broke in half and bore into the dish, which tore the central portion apart.
A satellite image shows the damage brought by the second cable’s collapse. The photos are heartbreaking as there are visible holes in the dish big enough to be captured by a satellite.
There are only two satellite images available for the public eye as the engineers have declared the damage of such an extent to be irreparable. Therefore, the observatory has to be shut down permanently.
If more of these cables fail, which has a high possibility, the entire platform will smash into the dish below it.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking for ways to lower this platform securely without damaging the dish. However, these plans will take some time to finish, and there is a chance that the platform might crash in the meanwhile.
“Even attempts at stabilization or at testing the cables could result in accelerating the catastrophic failure,” said Ralph Gaume, who is the director of the astronomy division at NSF.
Therefore the decision to close down the facility permanently was taken to prevent any future catastrophe.
The closure is a massive blow to the world of astronomy as the telescope represents years and years of history built at a single facility. Arecibo’s telescope is ultimate of pioneering importance for most modern astronomers.
I’m Ava Paul, an experienced news website author with a special focus on the entertainment section. Over the past five years, I have worked in various positions of media and communication at World Stock Market. My experience has given me extensive knowledge in writing, editing, researching and reporting on stories related to the entertainment industry.
