The 40-foot telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia serves as a research instrument for school groups and other educational visitors.
Face of the 40-foot
A nearly face-on view of the 40-foot radio telescope in Green Bank, the world’s first automated radio telescope. Its surface is a fine mesh, because it does not need to be as accurate as other radio telescopes that observe higher frequencies. Visiting students use this telescope for astronomical observing projects each year.
45-foot Comes Home
The 45-foot portable radio telescope replaced the less accurate 42-foot as the fourth element in the Green Bank Interferometer in 1973. After 15 years working dozens of miles from Green Bank, it was permanently relocated at the Observatory. In this photo, it has just arrived at its new home and is still using its portable control room — the trailer at right.
Assembling the 45-foot
Assembling the 45-foot portable radio telescope that served as the fourth and distant member of the Green Bank Interferometer (GBI). Notice its iconic cement-filled “arms” that act as counterweights to its heavy dish.
Fog Over the 45-foot
A foggy autumn day in Green Bank, West Virginia, but the 45-foot is still trying to get some data from the Sun.
Neither Snow Nor Rain
Although it has lightly snowed in Green Bank, the 45-foot telescope is busy observing the Sun.