The committee report attributes the Arecibo telescope's collapse to zinc creep in spelter sockets, potentially accelerated by low-level electric current, or electroplasticity.
Despite a safety factor above two, the cables and sockets of the telescope failed due to significant cumulative damage from progressive zinc extrusion.
Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, the telescope remained operational until a supporting cable broke in 2020, leading to the National Science Foundation's decision to demolish it.
The National Science Foundation plans to replace the Arecibo telescope with a new educational facility aimed at enhancing science education and community engagement.
Collection
[
|
...
]