GREEN BANK, W.Va. — Since its groundbreaking on Oct. 17, 1957, the Green Bank Observatory in rural Pocahontas County has been a pioneer of scientific discovery. In 1958, the 85-foot Tatel telescope was operational. Over the next decade, four more telescopes ranging in diameter from 40 to 300 feet were built on site.
In 1991, construction began on the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The GBT has a diameter of 100 meters, is fully steerable and operates in wavelength ranges from 0.2 GHz to 116 GHz. The GBT quickly established itself as the world’s leading telescope for these wavelength ranges. And in 2001, the GBT was used to create the first detailed topographic radar image of the surface of Venus.
With a total area of 2.3 acres, the GBT is large enough to accommodate two football fields.
The Green Bank Observatory Science Center. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV. History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.History of Green Bank Observatory. RealWV photo.Entrance to the Green Bank Science Center exhibit hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.Exhibit Hall, Green Bank Science Center Exhibit Hall. RealWV photo.
We are all made of stars
A poster on display at the Green Bank Science Center states: “Without stars, we would not be here.”
“Stars produce basic elements like carbon, which form the basis of complex molecules that make up life. It is likely that all the elements – everything we see, hear and touch – are created during the life cycle of a star.
“Through the Green Bank telescope, astronomers have learned that the Milky Way is an organic galaxy dominated by carbon-based molecules.”
Play area for the little ones at the Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo. Play area for the little ones at the Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo. Galaxy gift shop at Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo.Starlight Café at the Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo. Starlight Café at the Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo. Starlight Café at the Green Bank Science Center. RealWV photo.
Visit the Green Bank Observatory
The Green Bank Science Center and Galaxy Gift Shop are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through September 2 (the Gift Shop closes at 5:30 p.m.). Beginning September 5, both will be open to the public Thursday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission to the Science Center and Exhibit Hall is free. Tours are available for $10 per person. Veterans and active military members, as well as children under 5, may take tours free of charge.
To learn more about the Green Bank Observatory, visit greenbankobservatory.org.
The Robert C. Byrd GBT. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV.The Grote Reber radio telescope. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV.First vehicle for guided tours in the observatory. RealWV photo. The Grote Reber radio telescope. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV.View from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.View from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.View from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.Starlight Café from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.View from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.View from the Science Center observation deck. RealWV photo.The GBT observation deck. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV. GBT information on the Observation Deck. RealWV photo. Satellite array behind the GBT observation deck. RealWV photo. One of the observatory’s telescopes. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV. One of the observatory’s telescopes. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV. One of the observatory’s telescopes. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV. The Green Bank Observatory. Photo by Matthew Young, RealWV.
