Arecibo's Funding Issues
Large amounts of funds are required in order to maintain the Arecibo observatory in operation. However, the recent global economic meltdown and recession proved to be too tough on the observatory. Within a span of three years, the federal government reduced the operational funds from US$ 10.5 million to US$ 4 million. At the same time, the authorities are still finding it difficult to keep up with the operational costs and, unless an allocation of significant amounts occurs, we will have to experience the closure of the only observatory that has the world's largest single-dish radio telescope.
These observatories or the funds allocated to these facilities are primarily decided upon the basis of reports such as the most recent one from the Astronomical Sciences of the National Science Foundation. The latest cutbacks were due to this report dated 03-11-2006. One of the central themes of the report is the following - the scientists must concentrate on the ongoing studies instead of concentrating on newer arenas. In simple terms, it is like limiting the average miles, which a sports car can, transverse in a day, just as they do it in car rentals in the United States. Is it for the greater good of the scientific community?
The observatory authorities realized the disadvantageous nature of the scenario. Within a few years, they set up the Arecibo Science Advocacy Partnership. The mission statement of the partnership concentrates on the efficient and effective use of the existing funds to achieve breakthrough results in the niche of science and engineering. With the passage of time, the government also recognized the advantages of keeping the Arecibo observatory afloat during the years to come. The rationalizing of the existing funds was stopped largely thanks to the efforts of the government of Puerto Rico.
Unlike the common misconception that the researchers are paid handsomely, most of the allocated funds are utilized for keeping the radio telescopes in proper working condition. The reader must realize that the observatory runs throughout the year 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week! Imagine the wear and tear that occurs to the integrated machinery by the continuous use. Scientists and other researchers who like to utilize the resources offered by the Arecibo observatory must first submit their project details, which will be assessed by a panel of intellectual experts!
A blow from the least expected side came in the following form - NASA stopped funding the Arecibo observatory citing insufficient funds. Throughout the years, NASA had extensively used the resources available with this observatory. The authorities are trying to procure additional funds from various financial institutions. One of the panel members even suggested giving away the surface space of the telescopic antennas to advertising for corporate giants such as Google (an offer that was quietly declined by the company). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of the 2009, is expected to give that much-required boost to cater to the financial requirements of the Arecibo observatory. The facility was extensively used for cinematic shootings and the authorities could make up for a part of the losses incurred via these sums.