Footage shows collapse of Arecibo observatory

[UM-Bot]

Drones that were investigating the facility at the time managed to capture its catastrophic collapse on camera.

https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/341605/footage-shows-collapse-of-arecibo-observatory

[little_dreamer]

It's a good thing no one was hurt when it finally collapsed.  It was already decommissioned.

There's a telescope like this in China that does not seem to have the cables-under-tension design.  Seems safer.

[NCC1701]

Was that really a lucky shot from that drone or were they aware something was happening with those cables?

Edited December 6, 2020 by NCC1701

[Tatetopa]

Its been going on for several weeks.  Cables have parted, remaining cables were put under more stress.  One of the astronomers started a repair fund.  Cost only a few million dollars, not enough raised yet.  Sad.

1 hour ago, little_dreamer said:

There's a telescope like this in China that does not seem to have the cables-under-tension design.  Seems safer.

The Aricebo telescope is about 60 years old, located in Puerto Rico, a United States territory.  Loss of jobs, loss of data,  just let somebody else do it, China for example.  That is what made America great.  And yes, I am pi**ed and sad.  

[TomO']

Was that really a lucky shot from that drone or were they aware something was happening with those cables? - NCC1701

They knew. Because of its age, and the hurricanes & earthquakes it had sustained, there was enough significant damage to the telescope that any attempt to stabilize it was deemed too risky for the staff and construction team. So, all we can do now is appreciate the great scenes it captured from the past 57 years. 

 

 

[Timothy]

13 hours ago, NCC1701 said:

Was that really a lucky shot from that drone or were they aware something was happening with those cables?

It was lucky timing and they were aware. 
They were surveying the damage as the cables failed. Awesome footage.