Mysterious Incident At Arecibo Observatory

The Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico. (Credit: National Geographic)

The Arecibo Observatory is probably one of the most famous destinations for sci-fi enthusiasts, courtesy goes to it's reference in a whole lot of movies, documentaries, stories and even video games. The 1997 film Contact, based on a novel by the famous astronomer Carl Sagan, had events circling around Arecibo Observatory. 

Contact(1997) (Credit: SETI)

The observatory has a giant radio telescope which started working in 1963 focusing on radio astronomy, radar astronomy and atmospheric science. Hence, it became an essential device to be used by SETI or Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.

On August 11, 2020, a cable that supported a metal platform broke, slashing the reflector of the telescope by 30-metre, twisting the platform used to access the dome. Officials say that the cable was built to support for about 15-20 years more. It is unclear how or what made the cable break. Currently, investigations are being carried out to trace back the origin of this incident.

The wreckage at the reflector. (Credit: Arecibo Observatory)

Previously, on September 21, 2017, a category-5 Atlantic hurricane, Maria caused the damage of 30 aluminium panels, but authorities confirmed that it was minimal casualty.