Green Bank Observatory

08/21/2026

This may look like something straight out of a sci-fi film – or maybe an ice cream freezer? 🍦 – but it’s actually helping GBO with RFI!

The Advanced Spectrum Monitor (ASM) is designed as a self-contained, autonomous, and wideband spectrum monitoring station with direction finding capabilities.

The initial "proof of concept" device was tested in 2023, and version 2 aka ASM-2, pictured here, is now being tested in the anechoic chamber and in the field at Green Bank Observatory.

08/20/2026

📡 Control room of the 40-foot telescope, 1962.

Now, the 40-foot telescope is used as one of GBO's education telescopes. Visiting students, teachers, and aspiring astronomers use it for hands-on observing projects each year.

🗓️ Countdown: 89 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary!

08/15/2026

🍁 School Year Hours Begin at GBO 🍁

Beginning August 15, the Green Bank Science Center and Galaxy Gift Shop are open Thursdays-Mondays, 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM. We are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the school year.

Starlight Café will also be open Thursdays-Mondays, 11 AM - 5:30 PM. Last hot food orders must be in by 5 PM.

Hours + Admission: 🔗 Link in Comments ⤵️

📸 Credit: Jay Young

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

Want a behind-the-scenes peek inside GBO's electronics lab and control room? Come take a High Tech Tour.

Get your fall/winter tickets before it's too late:

🗓️ Thursday, August 13 - SOLD OUT
🗓️ Thursday, September 10
🗓️ Thursday, October 8
🗓️ Thursday, November 12
🗓️ Thursday, December 10

⏰ 3:30 - 5:00 PM
🎟️ Advance tickets required: https://shop.greenbankobservatory.org/collections/onsite-opportunities/products/2026-high-tech-tour

Come learn more about the engineering that makes the Green Bank Telescope one of the most sensitive and versatile single-dish radio telescopes in the world.

Please read the following information carefully before making your purchase. Because of the additional time required for clearance, we cannot offer refunds or exchanges with less than 1 full week’s notice. Requests must be made no later than the Thursday before your scheduled tour. Join an Observa...

08/12/2026

Documentarian Emma Crow-Willard was recently at the NSF Green Bank Observatory and chatted with two of our scientists, Emily Moravec and Evan Smith. Thanks for including us on your trip! 📡

Crow-Willard is on a 25-day backpacking journey, which she calls the Allegheny Trail Economies Expedition, stopping to interview people in communities along the route.

She said the interviews will become part of a documentary project and an economic report examining the role of outdoor recreation in West Virginia’s economy.

Read more about the documentary project here: https://wvexplorer.com/allegheny-trail-west-virginia-emma-crow-willard/

08/11/2026

Heads up! The Science Center is open this Tuesday/Wednesday, but Starlight Café will be closed until Thursday; the Café is moving to School Year Hours a week early.

Starlight Café School Year Hours ⤵️

Open Thursday-Monday. Closed Tuesdays/Wednesdays.

🥨 Snacks/pre-made options available from 11:00-5:30

🍽️ Hot food made-to-order meals must be in by 5:00 PM

GB Science Center School Year Hours (beginning Aug 15) ⤵️

Open Thursday-Monday, 9:30-5:30. Closed Tuesdays/Wednesdays.