The Largest radio telescope in the world, the Arecibo Observatory is nestled in a sinkhole in the mountains outside of Arecibo Puerto Rico and has become famous for being part of the movie "Contact" staring Jodie Foster as a scientist looking for extra-terrestial life at the observatory. Another movie, "Goldeneye", a James Bond action thriller used the dish as part of an action sequence as well. At the observatory, scientists form throughout the world use the 1000 foot dish to gather faint radio signals from distant areas of space to study galaxies, star formations, and other space activities. The observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

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