900-ton Platform Falls At Puerto Rico s Already Damaged Arecibo Observatory

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The Arecibo Observatory's 900-ton platform, long suspended above the telescope dish, tour chùa yên tử has fallen. 

National Science Foundation


The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has been a science and tour chùa yên tử pop culture icon for decades. A [/news/famous-arecibo-telescope-that-starred-in-james-bond-film-goldeneye-to-be-demolished/ series of tragic events involving broken cables] has now been compounded by an even larger structural failure at the telescope. The observatory's massive 900-ton platform -- which was suspended in the air above the dish -- has fallen.




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The [ National Science Foundation announced] the overnight collapse on Tuesday. "No injuries were reported. NSF is working with stakeholders to assess the situation. Our top priority is maintaining safety," the foundation tweeted.


The instrument platform of the 305m telescope at 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 safety. NSF will release more details when they are confirmed. [ pic.twitter.com/Xjbb9hPUgD]
— National Science Foundation (@NSF) [ December 1, 2020]














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Arecibo's famous 305-meter (1,000-foot) telescope dish had already suffered extensive damage from the previous broken cables that had been helped to keep the platform suspended. The NSF decided earlier in November [/news/famous-arecibo-telescope-that-starred-in-james-bond-film-goldeneye-to-be-demolished/ to decommission and demolish the telescope] due to safety concerns.

Despite the NSF conclusion, tour chùa yên tử over 36,000 scientists and space fans had signed a [ Change.org petition asking for the telescope to be repaired] and preserved for future generations. The platform's fall makes any chance of saving the telescope even more remote.