24 August 2011

Arecibo Observatory Hurricane Photo Addendum

You may recall my writing earlier about the Arecibo Observatory.

In late September 1966, Hurricane Inez was heading directly for Puerto Rico and the observatory. Ed Hunt and others made the prudent decision to detach and lower the antenna feed (“needle”), something that had never been done. 

Arecibo antenna feed (needle) pointing down from bow-shaped azimuth arm, 1965

Ed and his staff dealt successfully with the “as built” versus “as designed." Here’s how the needle looked the next morning.

Arecibo antenna feed (needle) on ground below reflector, 1966.
The needle wasn't on the ground very long. Hurricane Inez changed its path and passed south of Puerto Rico on 28 September with 150 mph winds. It was one of the deadliest hurricanes to ever strike the Caribbean, with an estimated death toll of 1000. 


1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the great memory jogger of Rome. You visited in 1982, we in 2010. So much is the same. One of the most incredible places to visit in the world. I loved climbing to the top of the dome of St Peter's. Awesome. Thanks

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