West Virginia is Home to the Largest Fully-Steerable Telescope in the World and You Need to See It
For as long as man has gazed at the sky, we have wondered what lies beyond the fringes of our world. As we built satellites and sent them into space, we wondered the same beyond the fringes of our solar system, and eventually, as telescopes and satellites dishes were built, our thoughts traveled beyond the milky way, even the universe. Through it all, West Virginia is playing its part, especially at Green Bank Observatory, home to the largest fully-steerable radio telescope in the world.
One of the first things you will notice upon arriving at Green Bank Observatory is the telescope.
Not only is the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope the largest fully steerable telescope in the world, at 485 feet, it is also 60 percent taller than the Statue of Liberty and almost as tall as the National Monument. Its observation range gives the telescope access to 85 percent of the observable universe. The observatory also sits within the United States National Radio Quiet Zone, ensuring the least amount of interference disrupts any transmissions received by the telescope.
You can also learn about the history of radio astronomy, learn about the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), and even see yourself in infrared.
The Science Center also welcomes group tours and fields trips. Additionally, you can visit the facility for Star Lab Sundays, enter the planetarium balloon for a journey through the universe, visit the Galaxy Gift Shop and eat at the Starlight Cafe.
The hours for the Science Center, Telescope Tours and the Starlight Cafe are all slightly different. View them at the bottom of the official website for GBO.
Have you ever been to Green Bank Observatory? Feel free to tell us about your experience in the comments below.
