The collapse of the Arecibo Telescope in 2020 was a result of issues that had been building up for nearly 3 years, according to a recent federal report. The report found that there had been a lack of concern about the telescope’s safety and stability following damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The failure of the cables that led to the collapse could be traced back to the sockets holding the cables in place.
The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico housed the 305-meter Arecibo radio telescope, which was completed in 1963 and was once the largest single-aperture telescope in the world. The telescope played a significant role in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and even sent out the “Arecibo Message” in 1974 in an attempt to contact extraterrestrial life.
Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused significant damage to the telescope, leading to inspections that revealed some cables had slipped from their sockets. Despite this, there were no serious concerns raised at the time. The report highlighted that the telescope had shown signs of structural distress well before the collapse, but there was no clear guidance on when to raise alarms about its stability.
The investigation also pointed out that the failure of the telescope may have been due to weaknesses in the zinc connectors holding up the cables, which had not been seen in over a century of their use. The report suggested that the electromagnetic radiation at a telescope the size of Arecibo may have weakened the sockets over time, raising concerns for the construction and maintenance of other large radio telescopes.
Fortunately, the collapse occurred when there were no staff or visitors at risk. The report concluded that the potential consequences of a structural failure at the Arecibo Telescope had not been taken seriously in decision-making during its design and operation. There was a lack of consideration for the health and safety of workers and the public in the event of such a failure.
Stephanie Pappas, a writer covering a range of scientific topics, emphasized the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of large telescopes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The collapse of the Arecibo Telescope serves as a reminder of the need for strict safety protocols and regular inspections to ensure the well-being of both the telescope and those working with it.