Hurricane Maria Relief Funding for Restoration of Scientific Capabilities at the Arecibo Observatory

该提案描述了2017年9月受飓风玛丽亚破坏的阿雷西博天文台(AO)关键基础设施的修复情况。本补编中进行的维修包括最紧急的：现场备用电源(包括修理和重绕四个现场发电机中的三个以及安装太阳能备用阵列)、建筑物维修、关键基础设施的检查以及更复杂的维修准备(例如，更换在飓风玛丽亚期间完全被摧毁的馈线的工程研究)。该提案详细列出了计划中的活动，所有这些活动都是为了支持将该地点归还给一个世界级的工作科学天文台。天文台获得的观测结果有助于实现天文学、行星科学、电离层物理学和空间气象界制定的科学目标。AO的雷达系统是一项独特的资产，但由于需要维修发电机，目前无法使用。例如，在进行这些修复之前，不可能对近地小行星进行雷达成像。近地天体(NEO)的观测和分类是国会的一项任务。AO是全球领先的教育和公共推广中心之一，也是波多黎各学生的顶级吸引力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This proposal describes the repair of critical infrastructure at Arecibo Observatory (AO) damaged by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The repairs conducted in this supplement include the most urgent: site backup power (including repairing and rewinding three out of the four site generators and installation of a solar backup array), building repairs, inspections of critical infrastructure, and preparations for more complicated repairs (e.g. engineering studies for the replacement of the line feed that was completely destroyed during Hurricane Maria). The proposal outlines the planned activities in detail, all of which are in support of returning the site to a world-class working science observatory. Observations obtained by AO contribute to the fulfillment of scientific goals set out by the astronomy, planetary science, ionospheric physics, and the space weather communities. The radar system at AO is a unique asset, but currently cannot be used due to the needed generator repairs. Until these repairs are conducted, radar-imaging of near-earth asteroids, for example, is not possible. The observation and categorization of near-earth objects (NEOs) is a Congressional mandate. AO is one of the leading education and public outreach centers worldwide, and a top attraction for students in Puerto Rico.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.