Arecibo telescope has collapsed

[LunaSea]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55147973

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) said the telescope's 900-ton instrument platform fell onto a reflector dish some 450ft (137m) below.

It came just weeks after officials announced that the telescope would be dismantled amid safety fears, following damage to its support system.

The Arecibo Observatory telescope was one of the largest in the world.

[Arne]

1. Very sad to see this terrible loss.

Everyone in the world should
shut off their satellite tv for an hour to mourn for Arecibo.
They have tried to blame it on Maria,
but I think James Bond was also involved.

[Enterstageleft]

2. But we can spend billions on a wall they can climb in less than 30 seconds.

Can't fund the homeless, can't fund food banks, can't fund science...but we can build a "wall" our neighbors can scale or cut with a $65 sawzall from Harbor Freight. WTF is wrong with this country, who do we have to get rid of to alleviate these problems?

The opposition party needs to die or get their shit together. There is no other way. Die...or...change!

[Arne]

3. This is why it's a hugh loss

https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/Moonbounce_at_Arecibo.pdf

Just a few of the people involved and what it could do.
This thing found Quasars.

[BootinUp]

4. Pretty bummed about this, but nothing

Lasts forever.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. China has built a 500m radio telescope, so it's not clear if rebuilding would be a good idea ...

... although it would be interesting to see what the most cutting-edge 21st century design proposal would be like.

[LunaSea]

7. Pre-collapse details

[LunaSea]

8. drone footage of the collapse

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZtoNYlM

https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/arecibo/

[crickets]

9. What a waste.

This makes me so angry and sad.