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What are they listening to? This is a question that the National Radio Astronomic Observatory (NRAO) gets asked daily.

By
Real Estate Agent WV0026375

 

 

What are they listening to?  This is a question that the (NRAO) gets asked daily. 

 

On Saturday, my husband and friends wanted to go on a day trip.   So the four of us head out to Green Bank, West Virginia, home of the National Radio Astronomic Observatory (NRAO).  The NRAO's first facility and office opened in Green Bank in May 1957.

 

We toured the museum, watched a film, and took a bus tour over the grounds of the observatory. The museum was very interesting.  Exhibits explain what radio telescopes do and show visitors how scientists use radio telescopes to learn more about the universe.  Some exhibits are hands-on.

 

On the tour, we saw eight telescopes, but only five are working.  The one telescope that is HUGE and worth seeing is the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT).  It is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope and the world's largest land-based movable structure.  The telescope honors the name of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd.

  

Our tour guide said that the current telescope, was built following the collapse of the previous Green Bank telescope, a 90.44m paraboloid. The previous telescope collapsed on November 15, 1988 due to metal fatigue.  No one was hurt.  The telescope's 2.3-acre collecting area looks quite a bit larger in person than it does in a photograph.   Before going through the gate, to see the telescopes, I was able to take a photo of the GBT from a distance; once inside the gate digital cameras were not allowed. And, of course, all cell phones had to be turned off.

  National Radio Astronomic Observatory

 

Green Bank Telescope

 

 

The telescope sits at the heart of the United States National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), a large area where all radio transmissions are either limited or banned outright, to help the telescope function properly.  The NRQZ encloses ~ 13,000 square miles near the state border between Virginia and West Virginia.  If you are planning a trip to the observatory, remember you cell phones will not work. 

The observatory land was once farmland for seven farms. It is mostly flat, and is surrounded by deep green forest and beautiful mountain scenery.

 

National Radio Astronomic Observatory

 National Radio Astronomic Observatory

Call NRAO for tours at (304) 456-2011. 

 

Tours are FREE!

 

The museum has a gift counter and a small snack bar

  

Check out the NRAO if you are visiting West Virginia..... and see the huge radio telescopes at work.  Kids, as well as adults, will enjoy visiting the museum and taking the tour to see the different telescopes.

 

Posted by

Your Real Estate Connection for Lewisburg, WV and the Greenbrier County

 

   

 

If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV, Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at
(304) 520-2133
, email
or visit my website at

www.lewisburgwvhomesforsale.com/

 

 Fathom Realty, LLC

Martha Hilton, Broker

 

 

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Comments (16)

Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Rebecca, this is beautiful and intriguing. I wonder too. What are they listening to? I am going to explore your links. Suggested...for good reason. Thank you. The photos are awesome!

Aug 22, 2011 05:42 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Rebecca and the photos are wonderful, they must be listening to VB's relatives in Outer Space! I will be coming back to your post again ...

VB ;o)

Aug 22, 2011 05:58 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Rebecca,

Gorgeous photos.  This post is fascinating and I learned a lot.  I do think they are listening for the ET"s out there...Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure. A

Aug 22, 2011 06:34 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Rebecca: Good write-up that will sway some folks in the vicinity to go check out the NRAO and learn more about radio telescopes. 

Aug 22, 2011 11:13 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Deb, thanks for the suggest and for stopping by.

VB, funny...relatives in Outer Space...we may all have some there :-)

Ron & Alexandra, so glad you learned something from this post; perhaps they are listening for the ETs.

Anita, I'm thinking the schools may take tours there...it is very educational.  I should have asked while visiting.

 

Aug 23, 2011 12:57 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Rebecca, what a great site!      Looks like your drive with your friends was very relaxing and enjoyable!

Aug 23, 2011 02:29 AM
Cathy Criado
Criado Realty - San Antonio, TX
Making Real Estate Profitable

That's really cool! My husband would have loved it.  Thanks for sharing!

Aug 23, 2011 03:40 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

What a great destination for a day trip. Thanks for sharing your interesting pictures too.

Aug 23, 2011 06:27 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Joan, yes it was an enjoyable day, and good to get away from the computer.

 

Aug 23, 2011 07:11 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Cathy, the musuem xhibits were great because most of them were hands-on; of course the telescopes were awesome to see.

 

Aug 23, 2011 07:12 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Ellen, it was a  nice place to spend a Saturday!

Aug 23, 2011 07:16 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Rebecca.....I would love to visit this place......Thanks!
Hope you have a great day!---Rob

Go Vols!

Aug 23, 2011 12:52 PM
Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team
Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

Rebbecca is not crazy on technology which we are not often exposed to .... amazing interesting blog !

dallas homes for rent by owner dallas houses for rent by owner lynn911.com

Aug 23, 2011 02:11 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Rebecca, Nice story and terrific photos. You definitely let the word out about NRAO in Green Bank and this interesting musuem!

Aug 24, 2011 01:04 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Rob, you are not tooo far away..come visit.

Lynn, thank you.

Larry and Sheila, thank you and it is very interesting. Hopefully, WV residents who haven't visited will do so!

Aug 24, 2011 03:25 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Rebecca, I'm in that Quiet Zone right now :)  My mom is from Cass, and my parents have retired to Bartow, so no cell phone access, and no Wi-Fi connections in their home :)  Beautiful country and worth giving up the phone!

Nov 26, 2011 03:33 PM