Around 3:30pm we left to go to Arecibo Observatory. It was 1 exit but but about 20 minutes past the Outlet and one of the things on our list that we wanted to do in Puerto Rico. When we got there we were MADE SURE to know that EVERYTHING at the Observatory was sponsored by 7UP! Oh my goodness, we saw 6 signs on the walk from the lot to the top of the hill and more when we got inside! We get it, 7Up!
The Worlds Largest Radio Telescope is located in Arecibo up in the mountains; hence 20 minute drive after only 1 exit from the Mall. Boy did I get car sick. I never had a problem in the car growing up on our 5 weeks vacations around the States but two years ago on the way to Zanesville it happened! And it happened again last week! When we got inside the Main Building we got tickets for the Visitors Center. We walked around and got seated to watch the 15 minute information video on a “typical day” at the Observatory. It was SOOO outdated! Not only that but it didn't really teach you anything at all. Tommy's first words when the lights turned on where, “I did not learn one sing thing! What was the point of that video?”. If anything we will remember laughing at how cheesey and over dramatic it was as well. The reason why we DO NOT regret going was the view we got when we walked outside...
Wow doesn't even begin to describe it. It is operated by Cornell University under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The observatory's 1,000 ft radio telescope is the largest single-aperture telescope ever constructed. It carries out three major areas of research: radio astronomy, aeronomy and radar astronomy observations of solar system objects. Scientists who want to use the telescope submit proposals, which are evaluated by an independent board. It was build in 1963 and is freakin' huge!
What else is interesting is that there are 38,778 solar panels like these used in the largest Reflector on Earth! It was crazy to look down and see them all from the view we had.
It was interesting to me that the work men had to wear shoes like these in order to walk out on the reflector and help distribute weight. We saw a guy wearing them in the video as he walked across it to go fix something at "ground" level.
~A Lil Visitor~
When we left we headed back to the Prime Outlets. We had a few items on hold at the Coach store. Tommy ended up getting a new wallet. The he had was about 6 years old and falling apart. Besides, it just screamed Tommy and it was a steal! He also got a CK money clip for $4! :)
We went into the Perfume store at the outlet mall and I couldn't believe my eyes! They have kid perfumes and colognes! Toy Story, Princess, Spiderman, Dora and Disney! What? No!
~Took this as we left~
We had a great and very relaxing day on Thursday! When we got back to the condo we watched a movie and went to bed! Vacation was starting to catch up with us!
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