Green Bank Observatory

Green Bank Observatory sits inside the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, home to the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope.

About Green Bank Observatory

Established in 1956 by the National Science Foundation as the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the site made its first observations in 1958 and served as NRAO's headquarters until 1966. It became an independent institution in October 2016, following a 2012 recommendation that the NSF divest from the facility.

History

Since gaining independence, Green Bank Observatory has retained partial NSF funding, built private contracts, and formed a partnership with West Virginia University. It is operated by the nonprofit Associated Universities, Inc. under a cooperative agreement with the NSF. In early 2026 the observatory took part in the search for signals from the MAVEN spacecraft.

Telescopes & research

The observatory operates the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, at the heart of a site chosen for its radio-quiet surroundings, which shield sensitive instruments from interference.

Location & getting there

Green Bank Observatory sits at an elevation of 2,684 feet in Green Bank, West Virginia, inside the National Radio Quiet Zone that restricts radio transmissions to protect its instruments. It's one of the North America region's most prominent stops among Star Register's observatories.

Visiting Green Bank Observatory

Green Bank Observatory's official website is the best source for current tour schedules, ticket information, and visitor guidelines before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

A star named through Star Register comes with exact coordinates, the kind of precise data that professional observatories like this one rely on every day. See our star-naming packages or browse the catalogue to name one of your own.