On November 6, one of the suspension cables failed which left the elaborate telescope destabilized and unsafe. The University of Central Florida (UCF) reported that two of the remaining wire support cables appear to have cracks.
The NSF, UCF, the Universidad Ana G Méndez, and Yang Enterprises are jointly managing the Arecibo Observatory. The organizations agreed to decomission the Arecibo telescope. The ever-increasing likelihood of the tower platform collapsing and destroying the telescope prompted their decision.
In a statement, NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan explained that their priority is the safety of workers, Arecibo Observatory’s staff and visitors, which makes this decision necessary, although unfortunate.”
He added, “For nearly six decades, the Arecibo Observatory has served as a beacon for breakthrough science and what a partnership with a community can look like. While this is a profound change, we will be looking for ways to assist the scientific community and maintain that strong relationship with the people of Puerto Rico.”
