Arecibo

(votes: +290)

Star of the X Files and James Bond Films the SETI hunting radio telescope at Arecibo in Puerto Rico used a natural, crater-like dip in the landscape, to hold the mesh for its giant dish.

Update: Have been in continuous operation since 1963, the Arecibo project is in danger of closing due to cuts in funding. Jonathan, who is a researcher working at the Arecibo dish has posted a link in the comments to its website where you can donate or voice your support. http://www.arecibo-observatory.org

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20 Responses to “Arecibo”

anderson Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Nice very nice…
Ron Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
The unfortunate thing is that the site will be shut down without continued funding, which I believe would be a great loss to the scientific community.
Evelyn Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
What bothers me even more so, is that, prior to my departure I witness the latest installation of combined union of the SETI program with the new state of the arts Arecibo L-band Feed Array (ALFA) system. What a shame it is to finally have this system working together gather 7-times more data to be shutdown. Furthermore, this site has and continues to provided valuable climate information.

Do not the Feds see the importance of this site? Arecibo Observatory has been in operation 24 hours,
7days a week, 365 days a year ever since 1963. Why is it that they fail to see the value of this site?

Arecibo Observatory has been a tool in which the scientific community and the rest of the world has enefited. We as a society have obtained more information about our earth’s atmosphere, ionosphere, space weather, planets, asteroids, comets, and so much more. The collaborative effort from around the worlds continues to make Arecibo Observatory a valuable site.

Too bad I don’t have the power of such people as Warren Buffet, William Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, or any of the top Fortune 100 companies. I wish I did because Arecibo Observatory is worth saving. I truly believe this site to be an American Icon. There is no other place in the world like this one. Arecibo Observatory is at this time the ONLY “World’s Largest Radio Telescope.”
Jonathan Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Following up on Ron & Evelyn, please see Arecibo’s fundraising drive website at:
http://www.arecibo-observatory.org

Full disclosure: I am a scientist on the staff at Arecibo.
Rob Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
If you want to help save this place, go to http://www.arecibo-observatory.org/ Or write your congressperson and let them know what you think!
Raul Sr. Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Pause to ponder - ONE week of Bush’s war budget would fund this RT pretty much forever! - Think about it.
Raul Alvarez Sr. Retired field engineer who loves science and tinkering.
Dr. Zulma I. Rodriguez-Torres Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Our present and future depends on really knowing our Universe (perhaps Universes) please let’s unite to keep the Arecibo Observatory working for ever, and ever, and ever, and ever………..! Let’s re-route the war budjet - it is a better investment. I am not an employee of the Arecibo Observatory - I am a concerned private citizen and a strong believer in the AO scientific work.
Rich Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
It is incredible that anyone would shut down the most sensitive radar/radio telescope ever built. What is NSF thinking?
Desiree Collazo Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
It’s a totally crazy idea to even think about closing the AO. There is so much that the observatory can do and is doing. Together we can keep it open.
Dr. Errol L. Montes-Pizarro Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Simply put, there is no other radio telescope as the Arecibo’s observatory. It is a shame that the USA officials are so willing to expend the tax payer money in making war while cuting back on fundamental research. Permit me to paraphrase Bob Marley, How long shall they kill our “science”**,
While we stand aside and look?

Errol

** “prophets” in the original, (Redemption Song)
Dr. Alfredo Beauchamp Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 9:02 am
El proyecto del observatorio de la Universidad de Cornell, en Arecibo-Puerto Rico, da la esperanza de busqueda de los otros vecinos del universo intergalactico, que podemos aprender o ensenar de nuestras culturas. No podemos perder la esperanza de un futuro, Necesitamos el Observatorio de Arecibo, la hunanidad tiene que mirar el punto en el espacio, hacia donde va a caminar. Dr. Beauchamp-Sierra, Puerto Rico.
Michele Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 10:43 am
The future of this of this observatory must be preserved and it must be made a priority. It is a great learning/research tool for all cultures. Not to mention that when you visit and stand on the observation deck, it literally takes your breath away. Save the Observatory!
Captain José Schaffino III Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I was at this facility on February of 2007 and found it fascinating. I mentioned to my wife who was with me that something of this magnitude would most probably be used by the military as well as peace time scientists. That this facility would be shutdown for lack of funds is again beyond me. What with magnates such as Gates, and the owners of Walmart and such. No money? Yeah right! Someone needs to get off their collective kiesters and get on ball with respects a scientific treasure such as this. Anyone listening?
JLPadilla Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Los Astronomos de todo el Mundo y Puerto Rico, necesitan el Observatorio de Arecibo. Este es el unico instrumento donde pueden hacer sus estudios y mapas topograficos con presicion sobre las areas de los planetas que estudian , los Asteroides y las Galaxias, estudios eficientes de la Ionosfera, no existe otro instrumento mejor que este en el mundo para estas investigaciones. Preguntale a Dr. W. Gordon, Dr. Cambell, Dr. Ostro, Dr. Pettingel, Dr. Nolan, Dr. Hagen, Dr. Salters, Dr. S. Gonzalez en fin a toda la comunidad de Astronomia del mundo.y los empleados del Observatorio que sufren la situacion actual de nuestro Observatorio.

La otra parte el turismo puede perder unas de las columnas fuerte, la atracccion turistica. Politicos despierten dejen la burocracia lenta y trabajen con mas rapidez, firmesa y efectividad por PR, que nos hace farta en esta epoca que nos tienen viviendo tan dificil.

La industria Bancaria de Puerto Rico, una de las mejores y mas solida en la actualidad se unieran todos , pueden hacer una gran aportacion al rescate del Obervatorio, y pueden ganar un prestigio a nivel mundial.
Dialoguen y desarrollen un enfoque de como ayudar la Astronomia mundial y veran los frutos para la Banca y Puerto Rico. No nos quedemos pensando y de brazos cruzados tiren sus ideas y expreciones….
Dennis Nieves Says:
October 26th, 2007 at 4:50 am
A few years ago I was on vacation from California and I was very excited and intrigued to view this site and the contributions to our society from the data collected from this resource.
Bob Says:
October 26th, 2007 at 9:21 am
To threaten this “Jewel” of US taxpayer investment is grotesque federal mismanagement. The head of National Science Foundation Astronomy should be fired - after he or she is flogged. Same for the NSF director. Is anyone in DC listening?? I visited Arecibo Observatory last year - it is an engineering masterpiece, it is leading the world toward a new physics paradigm, and it leads the world in scientific outreach to a population underrepresented in the business of science. And it costs peanuts. How is it possible that some idiotic bureaucrat can turn a rare statue of taxpayer pride into a mistake? Shame on our inattentive, visionless government, shame on NSF.
Ian Medhurst Says:
October 26th, 2007 at 11:01 am
AO’s value to the science is unquestioned, even if its impressive legacy of discoveries were disregarded, over the next 10-15 years it will continue to offer unrivalled potential for research. For the sake of $1 million to abandon its radar tracking of Near Earth Objects and the consequences to us all seems at the very least unwise, and as just one example AO’s ALFA instrument offers considerable potential for shedding further light (excuse the pun) on Dark Galaxies and dark matter.

However, this scientific marvel will continue to inspire the younger generation to pursue a career in science and engineering. AO creates a link between our planet and the cosmos that is far more comprehendible than blasting off into space. Over 25,000 Puerto Rican school children a year currently visit the Observatory, and this can be expected to rise as the value to the local community is more widely recognised. And for those fortunate enough to have visited and explored its immense size ‘up close’ it truly is an awe-inspiring experience that will never be forgotten.
Marc Foreman Says:
October 26th, 2007 at 11:53 am
The Arecibo Observatory to me has always been more than just the sum of its parts. I’ve always seen it as a beacon, proving what Man can achieve if the will is there, and the eyeline extended beyond political borders and cultural differences.

Its contributions to scientific endeavour are of course legendary, but the Observatory is more than scientific observation … it’s scientific INSPIRATION, and without its reassuring presence in our world, there would be one less reason for mankind to think of bigger things than itself.

The cost of keeping the Observatory open is minuscule in normal terms (selling one high-tech fighter jet could keep Arecibo running for years!), but sub-microscopic compared to the investment that has already been made in its original construction and development. Closing such an achievement, and especially an achievement that has not only fulfilled but EXCELLED at its Mission, and is still our best hope for detecting the imminent threat of Near Earth Object collision with our world, would be folly of the most supreme order.

Fortunately, I still have faith in the powerbrokers who make such decisions. I believe that they too recognise this, and have the appropriate experience, integrity and foresight to investigate all opportunities to avoid this calamity. My hopes and best wishes rest with them, with the Observatory and its tireless and committed staff, and I trust that Arecibo will be given its chance to live. In my opinion, it’s earned it.
Zulma Serret Says:
October 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
The dedication and the professionalism of the team is a contribution to the scientific community
Karla Lortz Says:
October 31st, 2007 at 9:12 pm
While I am not a scientist, I am shocked and appalled that the government would so drastically reduce the funding on such important research while pouring billions into a senseless war. I hope and pray that these dedicated people at Arecibo will prevail!

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