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Set against the backdrop of rugged
mountains and a stunning valley in the Northern Region of Pocahontas County
is the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The 17 million pound
structure is in sharp contrast to its natural surroundings and yet folks
have become accustomed to the peculiar site.
The GBT is described as a 100-meter
telescope, but the actual dimensions of the surface are 100 by 110 meters.
The overall structure of the GBT is a wheel-and-track design that allows the
telescope to view the entire sky above 5 degrees elevation. The track, 210
feet in diameter, is level to within a few thousandths of an inch in order
to provide precise pointing of the structure while bearing 16,000,000
pounds of moving weight.
Radio telescopes often produce images of
celestial bodies. Just as photographic film records the different amount of
light coming from different parts of the scene viewed by a camera’s lens,
radio telescope systems record the different amounts of radio emission
coming from the area of the sky we observe. After computer processing of
this information, astronomers can make a picture.
The GBT, dedicated in August of 2000, is
the world’s largest fully maneuverable radio telescope. Its 100 by 110 meter
dish is composed of 2,004 individually hinged panels. It also has a unique
offset feed arm, which greatly enhances the performance of the telescope,
making it ideal for observations of faint astronomical objects.
The new Science Center was completed in
the spring of 2003 and offers visitors many opportunities to experience the
elements of the Observatory and space. The Center features hands-on
exhibits and displays where you can discover how the Green Bank Telescope
works, what radio astronomers have learned about the universe and even what
radio waves are. Visitors will enjoy the Star Lab, Star Parties, and High
Tech Tours which are offered regularly. The NRAO welcomes school groups and
motor coach tours. For your convenience and to guarantee a guided tour,
advance reservations are recommended.
For more information on the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory, call them at 304-456-2150 or visit their website at
http://www.gb.nrao.edu |
