The US National Science Foundation has decided to instead open an educational centre on the site.
The Arecibo Observatory’s 305-metre-wide telescope dish was destroyed in late 2020, after supporting cables snapped.After a world-famous radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, many scientists hoped that the US National Science Foundation , which runs the facility, would eventually build a new one to replace it. Instead, the agency has announced that it will establish an educational centre for science, technology, engineering and maths at the site.
The situation “could be worse,” says Abel Méndez, a planetary astronomer at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo who uses the 12-metre antenna for research and teaching. But “it could be much, much better”. The NSF says that it is asking for precisely those sorts of ideas. The new centre could support ongoing work in astronomy and planetary science, or it could focus on other areas such as the biological sciences, says James L. Moore III, the head of the NSF’s education and human resources directorate. “Here’s an opportunity to reimagine what the possibilities could be,” he says.
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The National Science Foundation won’t rebuild the Arecibo Observatory telescopeThe agency will instead build an education center.
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Fallen Arecibo Observatory telescope won't be rebuilt despite scientists' hopesMeghan is a senior writer at Space.com and has more than five years' experience as a science journalist based in New York City. She joined Space.com in July 2018, with previous writing published in outlets including Newsweek and Audubon. Meghan earned an MA in science journalism from New York University and a BA in classics from Georgetown University, and in her free time she enjoys reading and visiting museums. Follow her on Twitter at meghanbartels.
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US opts to not rebuild renowned Puerto Rico telescopeSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The National Science Foundation announced Thursday that it will not rebuild a renowned radio telescope in Puerto Rico, which was one of the world’s largest until it collapsed nearly two years ago.
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US opts to not rebuild renowned Puerto Rico telescopeA solicitation for an educational site, instead, does not include operational support for current infrastructure at the site that is still in use.
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World-renowned Puerto Rico telescope won't be rebuilt after collapse“We understand how much the site has meant to the community,” said Sean Jones of the National Science Foundation. “If you’re a radio astronomer, you’ve probably spent some time of your career at Arecibo.”
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US opts to not rebuild renowned Puerto Rico telescopeThe National Science Foundation announced Thursday that it will not rebuild a renowned radio telescope in Puerto Rico, which was one of the world’s largest until it collapsed nearly two years ago. Instead, the agency issued a solicitation for the creation of a $5 million education center at the site that would promote programs and partnerships related to science, technology, engineering and math. It also seeks the implementation of a research and workforce development program, with the center slated to open next year in the northern mountain town of Arecibo where the telescope was once located.
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