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 namesNational Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank
Named afterGreen Bank 
OrganizationAssociated Universities, Inc. 
LocationGreen Bank, United States National Radio Quiet Zone, Pocahontas County, US
Coordinates38°26′16″N 79°50′10″W
Altitude2,684 feet (818 m)
Observing time365 nights per year 
EstablishedNovember 12, 1956 (1956-11-12)
Websitegreenbankobservatory.org
Telescopes300 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

Historic and other telescopes

300-ft Telescope
day of collapse
day after collapse

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.
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