---
title: "Arecibo SETI Telescope Collapses Completely"
description: "The iconic Arecibo Observatory collapsed on Tuesday, according to officials. The 900-ton platform suspended above the 1,000 foot dish antenna crashed."
date: "2020-12-01"
modified: "2020-12-01"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/arecibo-seti-telescope-collapses-completely"
categories:
  - "Science & Energy"
---

# Arecibo SETI Telescope Collapses Completely

![The iconic Arecibo Observatory collapsed on Tuesday, according to officials. The 900-ton platform suspended above the 1,000 foot dish antenna crashed.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/arecibo-seti-telescope-collapses-completely.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Jeff Hitchcock\</em\>*

## RIP

It's a sad day for astronomy.

The iconic Arecibo Observatory collapsed on Tuesday, according to officials. The 900-ton platform suspended above the 1,000-foot-wide dish antenna came crashing down, caused by failing cables that were already stretched to their limits.

As recently as yesterday, NASA had been [exploring options](<https://spacenews.com/nasa-weighing-options-for-future-planetary-radar-capabilities-after-arecibo/>) to repair the ailing dish.

https://twitter.com/NSF/status/1333772980539691008

## Extensive Damage

Luckily, no injuries were reported, according to tweets by the National Science Foundation.

In August, an [auxiliary cable snapped](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/seti-telescope-down-months-mysterious-damage>), causing massive damage to the gigantic dish below. Then in November, a [main cable snapped](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/arecibo-observatory-seti-collapse-damage>), causing even more damage.

Less than two weeks ago, scientists announced [plans to demolish the 57-year-old observatory](<https://futurism.com/arecibo-alien-hunting-observatory-is-being-demolished>).

## Signal Noise

The Arecibo Observatory has been collecting invaluable data, listening in on mysterious radio signals emanating from the far corners of the observable universe.

It has also been used to send out the "Arecibo Message" in the 1970s, a pattern of numbers and chemical formulae, in a symbolic effort to reach out to intelligent extraterrestrial lifeforms that may exist elsewhere in our universe.

Scientists are mourning the news, with some tearing up during interviews.

**READ MORE:** [Huge Puerto Rico radio telescope collapses; many mourning](<https://phys.org/news/2020-12-huge-puerto-rico-radio-telescope.html>) \[*Associated Press*\]

**More on the observatory:** *[Iconic Arecibo Alien-Hunting Observatory Will Be Demolished](<https://futurism.com/arecibo-alien-hunting-observatory-is-being-demolished>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)