The Arecibo Observatory is CURRENTLY home to the world’s largest single-aperture radio telescope with a diameter of 1000ft (305m). Unfortunately that crown will be handed over to China in 2016 when the radio telescope goes online in the Guizhou Province in southern China.
The Arecibo Radio Telescope is used to study three major research areas: radio astronomy, aeronomy, and radar astronomy and opened to researchers in 1963. Since its opening many scientific discoveries have been made at the observatory, as well as several blockbuster movie scenes.
When you arrive at the Observatory park your car in the car park and then take the path uphill (quite steep) to the visitor center. The walk is a combination of pavement and steps with a couple of places to take a break. The walk is not that long, but if you have trouble walking or need assistance, you can ask the guard in the car park and they will arrange transport to the visitor center.
Once at the visitor center pay the entrance fee and head on into the exhibition room. This is a 2 floor room, that has exhibits about the solar system, the earth, as well as displays of meteor fragments. Some exhibits are just static displays, some have videos and some are interactive, where you have to read instructions and see what happens. The second flow has a few more exhibits and there is an elevator if you need one.
Just off the exhibit room there is the small theater where they show a 20 minute film highlighting what happens at the observatory.
After the movie (which is not mandatory) you head out to the observation deck to see the Arecibo radio telescope up close. It’s an impressive site.
After you have marveled at the huge radio telescope head on into the gift shop and take a momentum or two back with you.
Arecibo Observatory Facts
- 1000ft (305m) in diameter
- Opened in 1963
- 7 April 1964 discovered that the rotation rate of Mercury was 59 days and not 88 days
- In 1974, Hulse and Taylor discovered first binary pulsar PSR B1913+16,[13] which won them the Nobel Prize in Physics.
- In 1974, the Arecibo message, was sent out to try to communicate with potential extraterrestrial life,
- Features in the explosive closing fight scene of James Bond’s Goldeneye
- Also featured in Contact starring Jodie Foster
Tip: I personally enjoyed the Arecibo Observatory, but it is not a place where you will spend several hours looking around and it is not for everyone (allow about 60-90 minutes). If you plan on visiting the observatory I would recommend that you combine the trip with another attraction in the area. Some suggestions:
- Lago Dos Bocas – A great place to have lunch overlooking a lake (restaurants open on weekends and holidays)
- Arecibo Lighthouse Park – small childrens park with ¾ scaled replica pirate ships. Also has great coast views and a lighthouse
- Prime Outlets – The Barceloneta outlets mall is a great place to find bargains
- Camuy Caves – If you decide to combine the caves with the Observatory, visit the caves first as tours are given on a first come first served basis. So it is recommended to arrive at the caves early.
Also, the interactive exhibits are good and very educational, but they are not geared towards younger children; although they will enjoy pressing the buttons and seeing things happen. It would be nice to see the Observatory introduce a children’s section that had more age appropriate displays
What: Arecibo Observatory
Where: Arecibo
Cost: Adults $6, Children and Seniors $4
Directions from San Juan:
Take Route 22 west to Arecibo exit 77b. Then take Route 129 south and take the left exit when you see the large Arecibo Observatory sign. Continue on the smaller road following the Observatory signs. The road takes you through several neighborhoods so drive carefully as the road twists and turns. The Arecibo Observatory is at the end of Road 625. The drive is about 90mins (depending on traffic).
Main Website www.naic.edu click the “Angel Ramos Foundation Visitor Center†tab for cuurent opening hours and visitor details
