UCF to get Arecibo Observatory grant

The University of Central Florida will receive a nearly $1 million grant for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico from the National Science Foundation.

A consortium led by UCF will take over the observatory, the university said in February, boosting programs for students to study space sciences in Puerto Rico and Central Florida by providing hands-on opportunities.

The Arecibo Observatory is the largest operational radio telescope in the world and has been the site of scientific advancements, including a project that earned a Nobel Prize in Physics.

This funding comes on the heels of the foundation’s decision that the UCF-led consortium should manage the observatory over the next five years. The new agreement is valued at $20.5 million, subject to availability, over five years.

“As a world-class public research university, UCF is well-positioned to lead this collaborative effort,” U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, DWinter Park, said in a statement. “The school’s management of the Arecibo Observatory will provide students in my district with greater exposure to academic opportunities in the STEM fields and supplement faculty-driven research initiatives.’’

The Arecibo Observatory will continue to offer scientists an opportunity to pursue radio astronomy, atmospheric science and planetary radar research opportunities. The consortium also will ensure that the observatory continues to track potentially dangerous nearEarth objects such as meteors and asteroids. The group will oversee engineering, operations, infrastructure maintenance, information technology and other support services.

Yang Enterprises Inc., an Oviedo technology and engineering firm, will work with the Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan to expand the observatory as it rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

UCF plans to sell time at the observatory to private and public research agencies, seek donations and more partners, and promote tourism to generate revenue.