- Before-and-after images of the Arecibo Observatory show a dramatic collapse that ended an era in space research.
- Astronomers mourned the loss of the observatory, which faced natural disasters.
- For nearly 60 years, the Arecibo Observatory made significant contributions to astronomy.
The Arecibo Observatory, a legendary radio telescope nestled in the lush mountains of Puerto Rico, has served as an essential lookout into the cosmos for nearly six decades.
From tracking asteroids to discovering the first planets outside our solar system, Arecibo made fundamental contributions to our knowledge of space.
The telescope’s observing equipment hung from a platform strung over a 1,000-foot radio dish until December 1, 2020. Following a series of series of misfortunes, ranging from earthquakes to hurricanes, the cables supporting that platform gave out, causing the telescope to collapse onto the vast dish below it.
Here’s how the telescope is faring two years after its collapse.