GBO Radio Telescope Tour

GBO (formerly NRAO) Tour and Overnight Observing will be back for 2018!

Enjoy a tour of the Green Bank Observatory’s facilities at Green Bank, West Virginia. This will be a “behind-the-scenes” tour, so you’ll get to visit labs, engineering facilities, and the telescope control room — locations that are normally off-limits to the public!

Green Bank Observatory is the new official name for Green Bank activity, now operated separately from other National Radio Astronomy Observatory installations. The name change reflects an organizational change and expanding role for the organization. To help assure continuing availability for research, GBO deserves the support of public, and especially the amateur community.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Cameras are welcome at GBO, however their use is restricted. In order to prevent radio-frequency interference to observations in progress, the observatory prohibits the use of digital cameras (and electronics-laden film cameras) in some locations close to the telescopes. Bring a simple film camera if you’d like to take pictures up close to the instruments.

Radiotelescope Observing

NOVAC has arranged for access to GBO’s 40-foot educational dish. Participants will leave for Green Bank either with the tour earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Observations begin in the late evening and continue as long as you’re willing to stay awake. Overnight accommodations are provided in dorm-style facilities at GBO. No prior radioastronomy experience is required; GBO will provide instruction and support. Space is very limited!