Green Bank Observatory

The Green Bank Observatory (previously National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank) is an astronomical observatory located in the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, U.S. It is the operator of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope.[1]

Green Bank Observatory

Green Bank Telescope at NRAO Green Bank, September 2009
Alternative names	National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank
Named after	Green Bank
Organization	Associated Universities, Inc.
Location	Green Bank, United States National Radio Quiet Zone, Pocahontas County, US
Coordinates	38°26′16″N 79°50′10″W
Altitude	2,684 feet (818 m)
Observing time	365 nights per year
Established	November 12, 1956
Website	greenbankobservatory.org
Telescopes	300 foot Radio Telescope Ewen–Purcell Horn Antenna Green Bank Jansky Antenna Green Bank Interferometer Green Bank Telescope Reber Radio Telescope
Location of Green Bank Observatory
Related media on Wikimedia Commons

The observatory was established as the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in 1956, and made its first observations in 1958.[2][3][4][5] It served as the NRAO's headquarters until 1966, after which the facility was known as the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank.[3][6]

In October 2016, the observatory became an independent institution, following a 2012 recommendation that the NSF fully divest itself from the facility by October 1, 2016.[4][7][8][9]

Green Bank Observatory subsequently retained partial NSF funding, established private contracts, and formed a partnership with West Virginia University.[10][4] It is operated by the nonprofit Associated Universities, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.[10]

Active telescopes

Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

• Green Bank Telescope[1]
• 140 Foot (43m) Telescope[11][12]
• 20 Meter Telescope[11]
• 40 Foot Telescope[11]

Historic and other telescopes

300-ft Telescope
day of collapse

day after collapse

• 300 Foot Radio Telescope – suddenly collapsed in November 1988, from the loss of a gusset plate[13][14]
• Green Bank Interferometer
• Reber Radio Telescope – designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989
• Howard E. Tatel Radio Telescope — utilized in Project Ozma in 1960, the first search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) with a radio telescope[11][5][15]
• 45 Foot Telescope[11]

References

1. Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope at Emporis. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
2. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (February 18, 2010). "National Radio Astronomy Observatory". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
3. "National Radio Astronomy Observatory Archives: NRAO Timeline". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
4. Scoles, Sarah (October 7, 2016). "What Happens When a Space Observatory Goes Rogue". Wired. Condé Nast. ISSN 1078-3148. OCLC 24479723. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
5. "Timeline for Green Bank Observatory". Green Bank Observatory. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
6. Library of Congress. "National Radio Astronomy Observatory (U.S.)". LC Name Authority File (LCNAF). Retrieved December 30, 2019. Earlier Established Forms – United States. National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, W. Va.
7. Temming, Maria (October 1, 2016). "Green Bank Observatory Goes Independent". SkyAndTelescope.com. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
8. Steelhammer, Rick (February 26, 2016). "Funding for Green Bank Observatory falls". The Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
9. "Green Bank Observatory: The Making of an American Astronomy Icon". AstronomyNow.com. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
10. Stump, Jake (July 30, 2019). "Green Bank Observatory, site for breakthrough WVU research and teaching, to remain open" (Press release). Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University. WVU Research Communications. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
11. "Telescopes: The Telescopes of the GBO". Green Bank Observatory. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
12. "Telescopes: 140 Foot (43m) Telescope". Green Bank Observatory. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
13. Green Bank Telescope ( old) at Emporis. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
14. "300-foot Telescope". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
15. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (February 13, 2008). "Project Ozma". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Retrieved January 1, 2020.

External links

• Official website
• 458928697 Green Bank Observatory on OpenStreetMap
• Green Bank Observatory (2019). Green Bank Observatory 2020 (PDF). Green Bank, West Virginia.
• Green Bank Observatory bird sightings on eBird