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. 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. It served as the NRAO's headquarters until 1966, after which the facility was known as the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank. 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. Green Bank Observatory subsequently retained partial NSF funding, established private contracts, and formed a partnership with West Virginia University. It is operated by the nonprofit Associated Universities, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Active telescopes Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope 140 Foot (43m) Telescope 20 Meter Telescope 40 Foot Telescope Historic and other telescopes 300 Foot Radio Telescope – suddenly collapsed in November 1988, from the loss of a gusset plate 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 45 Foot Telescope See also List of astronomical observatories References External links Astronomical observatories in West Virginia Radio observatories Astronomy institutes and departments Organizations based in West Virginia Research institutes in West Virginia Research institutes established in 1956 Scientific organizations established in 1956 1956 establishments in West Virginia National Science Foundation Buildings and structures in Pocahontas County, West Virginia