40-foot radio telescope

For Herschel's optical telescope in Slough, England, see 40-foot telescope.

40-foot telescope
Part ofGreen Bank Observatory Edit this on Wikidata
Location(s)Green Bank, Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Coordinates38°26′14″N 79°49′53″W / 38.43722°N 79.83139°W / 38.43722; -79.83139
Altitude2,684 feet (818 m)
First light14 December 1961 Edit this on Wikidata
Telescope styleradio telescope Edit this on Wikidata
Diameter40 ft (12 m) Edit this at Wikidata
40-foot radio telescope is located in the United States
40-foot radio telescope
Location of 40-foot radio telescope
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The 40-foot radio telescope at Green Bank Observatory in the U.S. state of West Virginia was constructed in 1961, and started observing a selection of variable radio sources in the same year, completing its observations in 1968. It became the first automated telescope in 1962. It was subsequently used during summer schools, and in 1987 it was repurposed as an educational telescope, as well as continuing to observe radio sources. In 2021 the telescope celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, having been in continuous use since its 1987 restoration, and used by more than 1,500 students.