300-foot telescope's warped surface

The 300-foot’s warped surface

In 1966, after years of snow and workmen’s trampling, the aluminum surface of the 300-foot telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia became warped. A new surface was installed in 1970.

Flattening the 300-foot telescope's surface panels
300-foot telescope
Poster for Galactic Radio Patrol group

The Galactic Radio Patrol

This group of scientists from the University of British Columbia and led by Phil Gregory, spent more than a decade hunting for radio bumps in the night – and day – with the 300-foot telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia.

Workers on the 300-foot telescope

Workers on the 300-foot

Paths of sturdy panels were installed and painted on the surface of the 300-foot telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia to allow engineers to access the receiver feeds.

300-foot telescope

A telescope that couldn’t spin

The 300-foot telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia was a transit telescope, meaning that it could only lift and dip, not spin around on its base. In this photo, the 300-foot (after its 1970 surface upgrade) impressively poses at an angle, showing off how well balanced it was on its semi-circle gear. Its upgraded control building is directly beneath it.