Green Bank Observatory

Green Bank Observatory
Green Bank Telescope at NRAO Green Bank, September 2009
Alternative namesNational Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank Edit this at Wikidata
Named afterGreen Bank Edit this on Wikidata
Organization
Observatory code 256 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationGreen Bank, United States National Radio Quiet Zone, Pocahontas County, US
Coordinates38°26′16″N 79°50′10″W / 38.437896°N 79.836169°W / 38.437896; -79.836169
Altitude2,684 feet (818 m)
Observing time365 nights per year Edit this on Wikidata
EstablishedNovember 12, 1956 (1956-11-12)
Websitegreenbankobservatory.org Edit this at Wikidata
Telescopes
Green Bank Observatory is located in the United States
Green Bank Observatory
Location of Green Bank Observatory
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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]

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]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference emporisRCB was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (February 18, 2010). "National Radio Astronomy Observatory". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "National Radio Astronomy Observatory Archives: NRAO Timeline". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ Cite error: The named reference timeline was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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. ^ a b 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.