Famous Arecibo Laboratory Puerto Rico has suffered another major blow during a difficult year, with two broken cables damaging fragile food.
At the heart of the facility is a large, soft radio telescope built into the geography of the island. The Arecibo Lab has been in operation for more than five decades, including the most popular broadcast in 1974. The so-called Arecibo News is meant to update any intelligent life about our technological capabilities. But recently, the lab collapsed: first it was affected. “Relatively small“Damage during Hurricane Maria, the biggest hurricane of 2017; it has already withstood a block this year. Earthquakes in January Lost one of its Thick cables, Which damaged the dish snap in August. Now, another cable broke three months later.
“This is definitely not what we wanted to see, but the important thing is that no one was injured,” said Francisco Cordova, director of the lab. Said in a statement Published by the University of Central Florida, which manages the facility.
Related: The Arecibo Lab: Puerto Rico’s Greatest Radio Telescope in Photos
“In our assessment, we have considered safety as a priority in planning repairs that were scheduled to begin on Tuesday,” Cordova said, referring to work planned to repair the broken cable in August. “Now it is. There is uncertainty until the structure is confirmed. It is with our full attention. We are evaluating the situation with our experts and hope to have more to share soon.”
According to the report, the newly broken cable was one of the main ancillary cables connecting the dish damaged cable to the same tower in August. The university said the cable slipped out of its socket, causing extra weight on the cable, which was completely broken on Nov. 6, damaging other cables and the main dish.
The incident did not cause any injuries, but prompted the lab to limit access to the area. Now, while assessing what the additional repairs will be, surveillance personnel hope to be able to install reinforcements to the tower to protect other cables.
“It’s not good, but we’re sure to get the facility online,” Cordova said. “This is very important for a tool for the advancement of science.”
Email Megan Bartels at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter meghanbartels. Follow us On Twitter Spacedotcom and Facebook.
Devoted web lover. Food expert. Hardcore twitter maven. Thinker. Freelance organizer. Social media enthusiast. Creator. Beer buff.
