Green Bank Observatory

A quiet place for big discoveries. 

Tucked away in the 13,000-square-mile National Radio Quiet Zone — an area protected from cell service and WiFi interference — the Green Bank Observatory is dedicated to radio astronomy. It’s home to the Green Bank Telescope, the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world. Standing 485 feet tall with a 2-acre-wide parabolic dish, the telescope captures faint, natural radio signals emitted from deep space.

Green Bank Science Center

Start your visit at the Green Bank Science Center, where you can join a docent-guided tour for an overview of the grounds or take the behind-the-scenes High Tech Tour. If you prefer to explore at your own pace, set out on a free self-guided walking tour. While you’re there, stop by the Starlight Café for a bite to eat and visit the Galaxy Gift Shop for West Virginia-made goods and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

More To Explore

Green Bank Observatory offers space to explore — in more ways than one. Family-friendly, beginner-level biking trails wind through the grounds, offering up-close views of the telescope and the forest surroundings. 

Check our events calendar for star parties, hands-on programs and special guided tours throughout the year.