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Operated by Cornell University under the National Science Foundation, this is a must-see for both locals and tourists alike. However, be prepared to climb a lot of steps. Arecibo derives its name from a local Indian chief called Jamaica Aracibo.
An astronomical observatory, Arecibo is a powerful radar-radio telescopes-the largest single-unit radio telescope of its type in the world. Inaugurated in 1963, it is a 1000-foot spherical reflector that uses perforated aluminum panels to focus incoming radio waves on a movable antenna that hangs 500 feet above the reflector surface allowing it to track a celestial object in different regions of the sky. Areicbo is open to the public Wednesday-Friday noon-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For information call: (787) 878-2612.
The Arecibo Observatory home page--click here. To go to the National Science Foundation home page, click here. |
