NSF Arecibo C3 Opening Moved to 2025, Aligning with NSF’s 75th Anniversary Commemorations
October 31, 2024
The National Science Foundation (NSF) today announced that the grand opening of the new Arecibo C3 (Compact C-band Commensal Coherent Continuum) radar system in Puerto Rico has been rescheduled to 2025. The decision aligns with NSF’s commemoration of its 75th anniversary in 2025.
“The Arecibo C3 radar is a transformational facility that will enable groundbreaking research in planetary science, astrophysics, and atmospheric sciences,” said Sean Jones, Program Director at NSF’s Division of Astronomical Sciences. “We believe that synchronizing its grand opening with NSF’s 75th anniversary will provide a fitting opportunity to celebrate the organization’s legacy of funding transformative science and engineering research.”
Originally planned for an opening in 2024, the new timeline will allow for additional time to finalize system testing and ensure operational readiness. The Arecibo C3 radar is a major upgrade to the iconic Arecibo Observatory, which collapsed in 2020.
The new system features a smaller, more efficient antenna that delivers equivalent sensitivity to the previous system while significantly reducing operating costs. It will enable scientists to conduct a wide range of research, including:
- Detecting and characterizing planets orbiting other stars
- Studying the atmospheres and surfaces of planets in our solar system
- Investigating the structure and evolution of galaxies
- Monitoring and predicting space weather events
“The Arecibo C3 radar is a testament to NSF’s commitment to supporting research that pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery,” said Ralph Gaume, NSF’s Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. “We are eager to see the scientific breakthroughs that this facility will make possible in the years to come.”
NSF is investing $35 million in the Arecibo C3 radar, which is being designed and built by Cornell University. Upon completion, the facility will be operated by the University of Central Florida.
“We are honored and excited to be a part of this historic project,” said Francis Cordova, Director of UCF’s Arecibo Observatory. “The Arecibo C3 radar will open up new frontiers in scientific research and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.”
NSF’s 75th anniversary celebrations will begin in May 2025 and run through May 2026. The agency plans to host a series of events to commemorate its history of funding transformative research and education programs.
“NSF has played a vital role in advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for the past 75 years,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone with the opening of the Arecibo C3 radar, a facility that will continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.”
NSF Arecibo C3 opening moved to 2025, aligning with NSF’s 75th anniversary commemorations
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