If Area 51 in Nevada was turned into a park, it might feel something like visiting the Green Bank Observatory in rural West Virginia. After all, both facilities are associated with top secret government research, aliens and mind-blowing technology, and both are located in highly restricted and sensitive areas. However, compared to Area 51, the public is actually allowed (and encouraged) to visit the observatory and, surprisingly, to walk or bicycle around the facility unaided. You are just asked to turn off all electronic devices when doing so. You can also take a guided tour, visit the Green Bank Science Center and attend any number of public programs hosted at the observatory each year, almost all of which revolve around astronomy.
After cycling the nearby Greenbrier River Trail (READ MORE) in September of 2023, my son, James, and I visited the Green Bank Observatory to see what all the mystery was about. I had actually heard about this place in college and was always intrigued by the fact that no cell phones (or pagers back in my day) were allowed in the area. I imagined its location being in a huge swath of dark mountains surrounded by gated roads, guard shacks and lots of barbed wire fence. It turns out this was a bit dramatic on my part. However, the facility is nonetheless intimidating, yet very interesting to visit.
The Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory is situated in a massive valley between Monongahela National Forest and the Back Creek Mountains of Virginia. It’s surrounded by serene farms and pastures, fresh air, and peace and quiet. In the eastern United States, it’s about as far away from civilization as you can get, and it’s very beautiful! Just over the mountains to the east is a small creek that, in actuality, is the start of the Potomac River. Not far beyond that are the rolling Shenandoah Mountains, followed soon after by our nation’s capital.
Unless you’re visiting the national forest, the bike path or possibly Snowshoe Mountain, there’s really no reason to be in this part of West Virginia, which is probably why the government chose the area to build an observatory and, ultimately, to create an official “radio quiet zone” that is vital to both science and national security.
Established in 1954 by the National Science Foundation, The Green Bank Observatory was the United States’ first national astronomy observatory, as well as the first national laboratory open to all scientists from around the world. However, unlike traditional observatories that use optical telescopes to view the universe, the Green Bank facility uses massive radio telescopes that allow scientists to “see” and measure the universe in very special and detailed ways.
In the mid-20th century, astronomers began recognizing the potential of radio waves for studying celestial objects (and the military probably recognized other uses as well). Radio astronomy at the observatory offered new opportunities to observe the universe beyond what was possible with optical telescopes, including being able to “see” through space dust and gases and to study a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, including the structure and dynamics of galaxies, the formation and evolution of stars, the properties of interstellar gas and dust, the detection of pulsars and black holes, and cosmic microwave background radiation. It was also home to the first science-based effort to search for extra-terrestrial life under a program called Project Ozma (a Wizard of Oz reference). The program did not (of course) find life, but it did lay the groundwork for future organizations such as SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), which continues the search to this day.
To further enhance the radio telescopes’ capabilities, in 1958, the Federal Communications Commission created a 13,000-square mile National Radio Quiet Zone that encompasses parts of West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Its purpose is to minimize possible harmful interference at the observatory, as well as at the nearby U.S. Navy installation in Sugar Grove, West Virginia, which is labeled as an NSA “Listening Station” on Google Earth.
There is no cell phone reception in the zone and there are no radio stations on the dial. All radio transmissions are restricted by law. Those living within 20 miles of the telescopes are even restricted from using microwave ovens and Wi-Fi, and major television and radio stations in the region are required to coordinate their operations with the observatory. You’ll also see a number of pay phones in the area.
Thankfully, these sacrifices not only keep our nation safe, but also have allowed for major advances in science and technology. For example, the expertise gained in radio frequency engineering and signal processing at the observatory has contributed to advancements in wireless and radar communication technology, (i.e. cell phones and navigation systems) and greatly improved medical imaging (MRI) technologies. Remote sensing instruments based on radio frequency sensors are being used to monitor changes in vegetation, soil moisture, and atmospheric composition for agricultural, environmental, and climate research purposes. The list goes on.
In terms of raw astronomy, the facility has made more discoveries than can be mentioned (or properly explained) here. Many of them have to do with the discovery of new molecules in space (astrochemistry), understanding pulsars, black holes and fast radio bursts, and exploring the background radiation (“glow”) of the Big Bang. Needless to say, the discoveries made here in rural West Virginia have changed the way we see the world and our universe.
Unfortunately for James and me, the Green Bank Science Center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which is when our visit fell. If we’d arrived a day earlier, we could have taken a guided Site Tour and visited the Science Center to learn more about the observatory and its famous scientists and discoveries. This is done through a variety of interactive exhibits and displays in the Center. Interestingly, the exhibits are housed in a huge Faraday cage (an enclosure used to block electromagnetic fields).
If we had planned even further in advance (and consented to a background check!), we could have even scheduled a famous SETI Tour or High Tech Tour.
Luckily for us, not all was lost. A self-guided walking (or bicycling in our case) tour of the grounds (dogs are welcome) may be taken anytime before dark, seven days a week. The only stipulation is that, upon entering the “red” zone (which is clearly marked), all electronic devices must be turned off. Otherwise, keep your phone on airplane mode until you’ve reached the border of the quiet zone.
A map of the grounds that contains detailed information about each of the seven telescopes at the observatory (and information about other points of interest on the campus) can be picked up free of charge outside of the Science Center. The tour starts at the Center and then follows a long road for 1.5 miles to the bottom of a hill, passing each of the telescopes along the way, including the mighty 85-3 Telescope at the end of the path, which is breathtaking to see! This means the distance of the tour is 3 miles to walk or ride, downhill first and then back up.
To keep things interesting, a scale model of the solar system can be followed on the road, with the Sun located near the Science Center at the top of the hill and Pluto being located 1.5 miles away at the bottom of the hill. The math for the scale model is 1 foot is equal to 3 billion feet in space.
If you reach the end of the self-guided tour and are ready for more exploring, the grounds also include several miles of nature and hiking trails. The giant telescopes are never far from view while walking through the peaceful meadows and woods. The nature trails are open until dark seven days a week.
Although James and I didn’t have a chance to experience the Green Bank Observatory to its fullest, I’m glad we were able see and learn about this scientific wonder up-close-and-personal and to visit and spend time in such a beautiful, awe-inspiring and, yes, mysterious place.
Learn more about the Observatory at www.greenbankobservatory.org.
