# Arecibo Radio Telescope damage; Puerto Rico \[has collapsed\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arecibo-radio-telescope-damage-puerto-rico-has-collapsed/918104>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 14, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arecibo-radio-telescope-damage-puerto-rico-has-collapsed/918104 "2020-08-14T16:30:48Z")\
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**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arecibo-radio-telescope-damage-puerto-rico-has-collapsed/918104/3 "2020-11-21T19:09:38Z")

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Since this happened, an additional cable has snapped and other cables are showing signs of damage. One of the big issues is that the over the years, the cables’ breaking limit has reduced to 60% of original capacity.

At this point, it’s been determined that the telescope can’t be safely repaired so they’re going to demolish it.

[Smithsonian article on the topic.](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-suffering-irreparable-damage-its-lights-out-arecibo-observatorys-iconic-telescope-180976367/)

YouTube video from Scott Manley:

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IEe4Wlc5Vp0/maxresdefault.jpg "Worlds Largest Radar Astronomy Dish To Be Demolished!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEe4Wlc5Vp0)

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