Photo – Page 66 – National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Mirror Adjustment Exhibit

Visitors to the Green Bank Science Center shift the alignment of mirrors to simulate the GBT’s adjustable surface panels.

Spinning a Pulsar Exhibit

In the Green Bank Science Center, visitors can spin up a model of a pulsar to hear how its “pulse” changes.

School Groups in Green Bank

The Green Bank Science Center has over a dozen hands-on activities for children of all ages. School groups that visit enjoy teamwork exhibits.

The most popular hands-on exhibit at the Green Bank Science Center is the infrared camera. Visitors can see themselves in heat waves, and folks love to marvel at how strange they and their friends and family appear in the usually-invisible light.

Where is the Focus?

All of our radio telescopes’ dishes are shaped into parabolas, because a parabola reflects waves to a precise focus. In the Green Bank Science Center, visitors can experiment with a parabolic mirror to try to find its exact focus.

Solar telescope at Green Bank Science Center

Safe Solar Observing at the Green Bank Science Center

During Open Houses at the Green Bank Science Center, visitors can safely view the Sun through specially-filtered telescopes. An “itty-bitty” radio telescope is also observing the Sun at the railing.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.