One of the most prominent astronomical observatories in the world was damaged.
On Monday (10/8), a 3-inch (76 mm) thick cable at the Arecibo Observartorium broke - destroying a 30-meter reflector dish from a radio telescope in Puerto Rico, reported by Science Alert.
The Arecibo Observatory recently reopened after a temporary closure due to tropical storm Isaias. At that time, the cable supporting the metal platform also broke.
Now, the observatory must be closed again. According to the University of Central Florida, co-operator of the telescope, the technicians are currently examining the damage. It is not clear how the cable broke and whether this incident was related to Hurricane Isaias.
It is known that astronomers often use telescopes at the Arecibo Observatory to study dangerous asteroids as they fly past Earth. This is done to identify space rocks on the path of the collision early so hopefully they can intervene before they hit Earth.
In addition, scientists are also using Arecibo to look for signs of extraterrestrial life. In 1974, Arecibo displayed the most powerful signal Earth has ever sent to communicate with aliens.
Then, in 2016, the telescope detected its first fast radio burst - a sign of a mysterious signal from outer space.
The cable break also damaged six to eight panels in the Gregorian Dome: the part that focuses its radiation on points in space that astronomers want to study.
"We have a team of experts to deal with this situation," explained Fransisco Cordova, director of the Arecibo Observatory.
"Our focus is to ensure the safety of staff and protect the facilities and equipment at the observatory so that it can be fully operational as quickly as possible and to return to help scientists around the world," he concluded.

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