Rebuild Arecibo Observatory: One Scientist’s Reflection on Advocacy and Research Héctor G. Arce, Ph.D., Professor of Astrophysics, UCS Science Network, UCS | December 16, 2020, 5:07 pm EDT On December 1, 2020, the 900-tonne platform that held most of the instruments of the Arecibo Observatory (AO) at a height of more than 500 feet above the ground came crashing down. People from all walks of life, old and young, scientists and non-scientists, for whom this iconic telescope meant so much, have watched the footage of the collapse in disbelief. Soon after the collapse, students, scientists and the general public began a campaign to rebuild the AO. This is no surprise, as this observatory has been key in making groundbreaking discoveries in the areas of astronomy, planetary and atmospheric sciences, and, crucially, it has had far-reaching public outreach and science education programs, inspiring hundreds of students of all ages in Puerto Rico and the U.S. to pursue a career in science and engineering.