More bad news from Arecibo Observatory

[StefanR5R]

Another cable broke on November 6, this time a main cable. :-(

News release from November 13 by UCF

Engineers are assessing the causes and repair options, but site works are difficult due to the acute danger of total collapse.

[Skillz]

I've been following this since the first damage that happened to to.

They think the way the cable is anchored is flawed. Which means all of the cables may end up breaking unless they can fix them.

With a second cable breaking it's not looking good.

[10esseetony]

Ah Jeez, that is not good.

[Skillz]

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2 ... able-break

Looks like they're gonna demolish it now.

[crashtech]

Oh, man. What a disaster this year has been.

[StefanR5R]

57 years lifetime seems pretty good for a structure of this kind.

November 19 news item from UCF:
https://www.ucf.edu/news/arecibo-observ ... ble-break/

The goal is to bring down the telescope, which includes the platform and Gregorian Dome and keep as many other parts of the facility intact for future use.

[10esseetony]

The suspended portion came crashing down after a small earthquake in a nearby area, on the 1st of Dec, I think.

[Skillz]

https://youtu.be/b3AASKr_iHc

Video of the upper portion collapsing.