Event Details

High Tech Tours

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023.   3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.; $25/person

High Tech Tours

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023.   3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.; $25/person

Join a conversation with an Observatory engineer as they pull back the curtain on our labs, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our secured laboratories.  Please register at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

You can purchase tickets and find the background check form at

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

FREE!  6-8 PM.  

Please check in at the Science Center. 

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

Crawl into our planetarium balloon for a night sky tour! ~45 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the science center or in advance at https://shop.greenbankobservatory.org/collections/onsite-opportunities

Please note that our portable planetarium dome does require crawling and sitting on the floor.  Accommodations can be made if requested in advance.

Crawl into our planetarium balloon for a night sky tour! ~45 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the science center or in advance at https://shop.greenbankobservatory.org/collections/onsite-opportunities

Please note that our portable planetarium dome does require crawling and sitting on the floor.  Accommodations can be made if requested in advance.

FREE!  Begins at 6:45 and lasts approximately 2 hrs.  

Please check in at the Science Center. 

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

FREE!  8:00-10:00 PM.  

Please check in at the Science Center. 

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

FREE!  Begins approximately half an hour after sunset.  Times will be updated closer to the event.  

Please check in at the Science Center. 

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

FREE!  Starting at 9 PM.  Please check in at the Science Center. 

If weather allows, Green Bank Observatory staff will treat you to views of the night sky through optical telescopes!  Observing will be available for up to 2hrs, but please arrive within the first hour.

If clouds or rain prevail, we will have indoor activities available for the first hour.  Check our Facebook page for updates.

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

Save the dates for the nation’s largest optical and radio star party! 

For registration and more information, please visit: https://greenbankstarquest.org/

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

FREE!  Starting at 9 PM.  Please check in at the Science Center.

If weather allows, guests are invited to join amateur astronomers from all over the country for an evening of star gazing!  This one evening event is free and open to the public as part of the Green Bank Star Quest, the nation’s largest optical and radio star party!  Star gazing will be available for up to 2hrs, but please arrive no later than 10PM.

Please be aware that this event is weather dependent.  If it's raining, or if the clouds are too thick to allow observation, we will cancel the party.  Please check social media or call before you come.  Weather decisions will be determined by 4PM that day.

NOTE: in order to avoid disrupting stargazing and astrophotography, no white lights or laser pointers of any color are permitted.  If you have a red headlamp/flashlight, you are welcome to use that.  

If you would like to find out more or register to participate in other Star Quest events, please visit: https://greenbankstarquest.org/

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

SETI Tours are offered select Fridays from 1:00-3:30 PM.  Please check back as we will continue to add dates throughout the summer!

$40/person

Advance reservations required; 20 participants max, ages 12 & up. 

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  This tour does tend to fill quickly!

Celebrate Green Bank’s historic role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence!  We begin where it all started, in the control room of the 85-ft Telescope used by Frank Drake in the original search, "Project Ozma”. From there, enjoy rare admittance to the 140-foot telescope, where Jill Tarter’s Project Phoenix took place, and then to restricted GBT access points. The tour concludes in a conversation with a staff astronomer about the future of SETI and the role of the GBT in the Breakthrough Listen project.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the telescope control rooms.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Accessibility Note: access to some of the historical sites visited on this tour does require the use of stairs.  Accommodations can be made for parts of the tour with advance notice.  Please call 304-456-2150 or email us at gro.y1686143653rotav1686143653resbo1686143653bg@ti1686143653siv1686143653 at least a week in advance of your tour if you need to request an accommodation.   

FREE!  Concert at 7:00 PM.  Public Reception to follow.

Music comes to the Observatory from the Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, Virginia! The Emerging Artist Fellowship Program is a four-week, intensive chamber music program for string players and pianists ages 18-28. These highly competitive fellowships are awarded to dedicated instrumentalists and provide lessons and coaching from the Garth Newel Piano Quartet and other renowned faculty. We are honored to have such highly talented and skilled musicians play for us in the Science Center Auditorium.

For more information about the artists and the fellowship program, visit: www.garthnewel.org/education/emerging-artist-fellowship-program/

High Tech Tours are offered the 2nd Thursday of every month in 2023!

$25/person

Join an Observatory engineer for an in-depth conversation and behind-the-scenes peek at our electronics lab, telescope receivers, and the GBT control room. See what makes our observatory one of the world’s leading radio telescope facilities! 

3:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.  Tour lengths will vary slightly, but plan on approximately an hour and a half.

A background check is required to allow access to our restricted spaces, including the laboratories and control room.  Please be sure to submit your Visitor Registration Form at least 72 hours in advance to allow ample time for your clearance to come through.

Purchase tickets from our Online Shop.  

Interested in seeing the telescopes as well?  Come early and add a Guided Bus Tour to your itinerary!  A 2 PM tour will get you back to the Science Center in time for the 3:30 High Tech tour.  Tickets are available in our Online Shop about a month in advance.