National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center
The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC), operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF).As the site of world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, the Arecibo Observatory attracts visitors of all ages and from many countries.
On March 1 1997, after eight years of fund-raising, planning and construction, the Observatory inaugurated its “Angel Ramos Foundation” Visitor Center. Over 100,000 visitors come per year to the new facility, about 30% of them school children. Here, through a variety of interactive exhibits, audiovisual displays, and informative panels, visitors are introduced to basic astronomy, atmospheric science, and to the operation of the radio telescope and its related research areas.
How does James Bond end up in Arecibo at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center?
In this film, Pierce Brosnan takes the role of legendary Agent 007. The leading ladies are played by two beautiful actresses, Izabella Scorupco ( Natalya ) and Famke Janssen ( Xenia ).
Goldeneye is set in the nineties, with swiftly changing political patterns and where former enemies become best friends and old friends….deadly enemies.
James Bond is ordered to Russia to penetrate the local arms Mafia. After tracking the shadowy Janus and his cohorts from St. Petersburg to the south atlantic. The climax of the story is played out in a race against time on the surface of the world’s largest radio telescope, where Bond finally comes face to face with his past.
A 1000 foot diameter parabolic dish concealed in a remote region of the Caribbean, it is the only transmitter capable of allowing Goldeneye to activate the one remaining rogue satellite with its built-in ability to paralyse the entire international community.
Once again 007 is forced to break all the rules, counting on zero back-up and of course…. no pre-planned escape route.