The Arecibo Observatory

The Arecibo Observatory was a massive radio telescope in Puerto Rico, used to study distant planets, stars, and galaxies by detecting radio waves they emit. Its large dish, 305 meters in diameter, collected signals from space, helping scientists learn about the universe's structure, black holes, and the Earth's atmosphere. It also played a crucial role in search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Operational from 1963 until its partial collapse in 2020, Arecibo was a vital tool for radio astronomy, advancing our understanding of cosmic phenomena and our place in the universe.