The Right Person at the Right Time -- The Evolution of the Telescope Design -- The View from Washinghton -- Turning Soil at Last -- A New Beginning -- Finishing Up and a Celebration -- First Observations and Some Disappointment -- Feed Design Successes, Future Plans and Management Changes -- Science in the Early Years, 1964 to 1974 -- A New Telescope Opens New Horizons, 1975 to 1 -- The Gregorian Era, 1994-2011.

Written by one of its former Directors, this book presents a historical account of the famous Arecibo Observatory and its 305-meter radio astronomical telescope, widely known for its groundbreaking scientific discoveries and starring role in the James Bond movie, Golden Eye. The story details the planning, funding and construction of the telescope; the people who masterminded and contributed to the project; and the involvement of the US Department of Defense in funding the construction. It also includes the seminal scientific achievements in the three research areas to which the telescope contributed, ionospheric physics, planetary science and radio astronomy. The book continues through later upgrades made to the facility, showing how the Arecibo telescope was arguably the world’s most versatile and productive radio science instrument for over 50 years. This historical account will fascinate astronomers and historians of science, serving as a valuable contribution to the history of 20th century astronomy.