- #1
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- TL;DR
- Arecibo broken
Anyone have more information...here is Scott Manley report...not good!
Snapped Cable Damages Arecibo Observatory Radio Telescope
- Context: High School
- Thread starter hutchphd
- Start date
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SUMMARY
The Arecibo Observatory Radio Telescope suffered significant damage due to a snapped support cable, which pulled out of its end attachment rather than breaking. This incident resulted in damage to several aluminum panels on the main dish and the catwalk leading to the movable suspended part. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will oversee the repair process, which is expected to take several months due to the custom nature of the replacement cable. Fortunately, no major equipment damage has been reported.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of cable tension and structural integrity
- Familiarity with the Arecibo Observatory's design and operational history
- Knowledge of materials used in large-scale scientific instruments, particularly aluminum
- Awareness of the role of the National Science Foundation in scientific funding and operations
- Research the engineering principles behind cable attachments and their failure modes
- Explore the history and significance of the Arecibo Observatory in astronomical research
- Investigate the materials and processes involved in manufacturing custom cables for large structures
- Learn about the safety protocols for repairing large scientific instruments
Engineers, astrophysicists, structural analysts, and anyone interested in the maintenance and repair of large scientific facilities.
- #2
Drakkith
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Hope they get it back and running asap!
- #3
Tom.G
Science Advisor
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Dated Aug. 18, 2020:
https://spacenews.com/arecibo-damage-to-take-months-to-repair/
Dated August 21, 2020. More history along with a little information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/21/science/space-telescope-puerto-rico-arecibo.html
Short synopsis:
A few hundred feet of support cable came down and damaged several Aluminium panels in the main dish and some damage to the catwalk to the movable suspended part. No apparent equipment damage found so far.
The cable did not break, it pulled out of its end attachment. Strange, considering the attachment method. See the video in the initial post above for details on that.
The panels that make up the dish are no big deal to replace, they are just Aluminium panels with holes punched in them. The cable is more of a problem, it was custom made and it will take a few months to make a replacement. They also have to figure out how safe the catwalk to the instruments is; then repair it.
The repair work will be led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) which is still contributing to the operational funding.
Cheers,
Tom
https://spacenews.com/arecibo-damage-to-take-months-to-repair/
Dated August 21, 2020. More history along with a little information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/21/science/space-telescope-puerto-rico-arecibo.html
Short synopsis:
A few hundred feet of support cable came down and damaged several Aluminium panels in the main dish and some damage to the catwalk to the movable suspended part. No apparent equipment damage found so far.
The cable did not break, it pulled out of its end attachment. Strange, considering the attachment method. See the video in the initial post above for details on that.
The panels that make up the dish are no big deal to replace, they are just Aluminium panels with holes punched in them. The cable is more of a problem, it was custom made and it will take a few months to make a replacement. They also have to figure out how safe the catwalk to the instruments is; then repair it.
The repair work will be led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) which is still contributing to the operational funding.
Cheers,
Tom
- #4
jedishrfu
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More on the final collapse yesterday with some drone footage:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03421-y
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03421-y
- #5
nsaspook
Science Advisor
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jedishrfu said:
That type of long term cable damage would have been just about impossible to repair after one failed far below its rated capacity. The remaining cables with 1/3 of a 900 ton compression load balanced with anchor cables was a hair trigger that unfortunately got pulled.
- #6
Drakkith
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jedishrfu said:
That drone footage is unbelievable. You can actually see the paint on the cables come flying off as they get ripped apart!
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