CBS- Iconic Arecibo Observatory radio telescope collapses after cable broke

[Lady Freedom Returns]

Iconic Arecibo Observatory radio telescope collapses after cable broke
DECEMBER 1, 2020 / 7:14 PM / CBS/AP

A huge radio telescope in Puerto Rico that has long played a key role in astronomical discoveries collapsed on Tuesday, officials said. The Arecibo Observatory, made famous as the backdrop for a pivotal scene in the James Bond film "GoldenEye" and other Hollywood hits, had been shuttered since August after an auxiliary cable snapped and caused a 100-foot gash on the reflector dish.

Then a main cable broke in early November, leading the National Science Foundation to declare just weeks later that it planned to close the radio telescope because the damage was too great.

Read more @ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arecibo-observatory-radio-telescope-puerto-rico-collapses-cable/

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[kysrsoze]

1. Such a shame. We visited Arecibo in 2008.

It was cool to see it in Contact. I don’t understand why they won’t rebuild. I would think it would be good to create some construction jobs there.

[SeattleVet]

3. There is the lack of the estimated $500 million for a rebuild, with no funding in sight.

[EndlessWire]

2. 2020 sucks so bad. n/t

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. Yup, this is the year the aliens wanted to talk ...

They've been saying, "Hi!" to the big receiver, but since we didn't answer, they went home. They will be back in a few centuries to see if our manners have improved.