The Aricebo Observatory is located deep in the jungle, in a trough naturally created by three hay-stack-shaped hills. It is an impressive sight from the very first glimpse you get: a concrete tower rising from the jungle supporting a thousand ton scaffold with giant cables. Though, only when you cross through the guard station, park, and climb 500 steps to the visitor center, do you truly understand the immensity of this, the worlds largest radio telescope. Inside the visitor center are exhibits and interactive models that describe how the station's technology works. Highlighting the self-guided tour is a short movie describing history and function of the installation followed by a trip onto the balcony for a spectacular view. A hanging walk way, little more than a rope bridge, connects a control building above and behind you to the suspended scaffolding which houses many millions of dollars worth of sensitive devices capturing and analyzing radio signals from the heavens. Hills seem to rise in endless waves into the horizon without interference from man made structures. An uninhibited wide-angle view of the sky reminds you of why the telescope is here to begin with. The view of all this lends itself to inspiring photo opportunities. HDR brings out incredible detail on scaffolding and devices while at the same time making mountainous vistas almost touchable. I recommend taking this day trip for anyone passing through Aricebo who can stand to peel themselves away from the beach for a few hours. Continue reading →