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The Arecibo radio telescope is the biggest single telescope that has ever been built. It was erected between 1960 and 1963 in a natual valley south of the city Arecibo. The gigantic reflector has a diameter of 305 m (1000ft) and has been assembled of almost 40000 aluminum panels.
From the point of view of science, the Arecibo observatory is unique because of the giant size of it’s reflector. It is the largest curved focusing antenna on the planet, which makes it the world's most sensitive radio telescope. While other radio telescopes may require several hours for observing a given radio source in order to collect enough energy for analysis, at Arecibo this may require just a few minutes.
The telescope is known from films such as "Contact" with Jodie Foster, "James Bond - Golden Eye" or the "X-Files". Moreover, international media has been reporting about the telescope since 1999, when it began collecting data for the project "SETI@home".
The visitor center is a particularly interesting destination for the whole family, as there are many things to see and to learn. Over 100,000 visitors come to the new facility each year, about 30% of them school children. Here, visitors are introduced to basic astronomy, atmospheric science, and to the operation of the radio telescope and its related research areas through a variety of interactive exhibits, audiovisual displays, and informative panels.
The facility comprises approximately 10,000 square feet of interior and outdoor space. It houses 3,500 square feet of exhibits, a 100 person auditorium, a science store, and appropriate meeting rooms and office space. It also provides an observation platform that offers a beautiful view of the 305 meter radio telescope.
