With the recent opening of the Arecibo Observatory Visitor and Educational Facility (AOVEF), visitors can now learn much about the universe in general and the observatory in particular. The idea of the center took form a number of years ago, when the observatory director Daniel Altschuler recognized the need for a more rewarding experience for visitors. His original modest vision of a room to provide visitors with basic information soon gaveway to a grand vision of a much larger educational facility that included hands-on exhibits and an auditorium. However, two hurdles stood in the way of this vision- a lack of funding and a lack of space amid the hilly karst landscape. Over several years, extensive fund-rising campaings netted the more than one and a half million dollars needed to construct the building. The Angel Ramos Foundation provided the basic support, while other companies, goverment agencies, and individuals made important contributions. A grant from the National Foundation funded the exhibits.