Your proposal got accepted and you are planning to come to Green Bank for training and/or observations.
Congratulations and welcome!
We look forward to working with you. Below you will find information that ensure an easy and rewarding visit.
International or Domestic Flights
You may choose a number of area airports for your travel to Green Bank, WV. These include:
- Washington-Dulles, VA (IAD)
- Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
- Charlottesville, VA (CHO)
- Roanoke, VA (ROA)
- Charleston, WV (CRW)
Rental cars are available at most of the airports.
As a service to our visiting observers, GBO can send a driver for pickup at any of these airports or stations for a modest charge. It is most convenient though if you can make travel plans and connections to Charlottesville whenever possible.
In addition, limited Amtrak train service is available to Charlottesville, VA and White Sulphur Springs, WV.
On site Parking
Parking is available on site, including a limited number of EV charging stations.
Site Access
You are welcome to tour our site by foot. Please stay on the paved roads and do not go underneath any of the telescopes. Please return to the main campus area at the east end of the site by dark.
GBT observations are carried out from the Control Room in the Jansky Lab on the main campus, in walking distance from the Residence Hall and Bunkhouse.
There are two options for meals onsite.
The Starlight Café is open seasonally (see table below) and offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, and pizzas (more info).
| Time of Year | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Before Memorial Day | Thursday – Monday (Closed Tuesday – Wednesday) | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| After Memorial Day | Open Daily | 11:00 – 19:00 |
The site cafeteria is located on the south end of the Residence Hall. It is open for business at the following times:
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 7:30 – 9:30 | 12:00 – 13:00 |
The cafeteria is closed all other hours.
Notes:
- A self-service coffee room is available for employees and observers in the basement of the Jansky Lab (turn left at the base of the stairs) and in the Operations Canteen on the second floor of the Jansky Lab Addition, near the Control Room.
- Residence Hall guests may purchase essential grocery items for storage in the Residence Hall Lounge kitchenette at any time.
- Residence Hall guests may order special items for consumption during periods when the cafeteria is closed. Pre-order forms are available from the cafeteria. Orders must be placed by 16:00 Monday – Friday. These items will be identified for the guest and placed in the refrigerator in the lounge.
We have a residence hall and bunkhouse available for observers and educational groups. In addition, there are four one-bedroom apartments with equipped kitchens.
If you are a student attending a degree conferring college or university and coming to Green Bank to use the telescope, you will pay a discounted rate.
The Observatory also maintains a few 2-4-bedroom furnished houses on the observatory property which may be available from time to time for astronomers wishing to come to Green Bank with their families for extended periods.
Cribs, high chairs, and fold-up beds are also available.
Reservations
Housing reservations may be made by through the Green Bank Observatory Reservations System (GBORS) – Questions can be sent to the reservation desk (gro.y1732171003rotav1732171003resbo1732171003bg@sn1732171003oitav1732171003reser1732171003)
Billing
Payment for lodging expenses should be made, if possible, prior to departure to Mark Barnes in Room 112 of the Jansky Laboratory between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Checkout
11:00 a.m. Please drop key in the key return box in the Jansky laboratory.
Bed and Bath Linen & Laundry
The Residence Hall rooms will be made-up prior to check-in and will be provided with adequate towels, wash cloths, soap, etc. For residents staying a week or more, rooms will be cleaned and linens changed once per week.
A washer and dryer are available for Residence Hall guests at the north end of the basement. Laundry detergent is provided.
Exercise and Recreation Rooms
An exercise room with a number of exercise devices, including treadmills, stationary bicycles, stair-steppers, weight machine, and free weights are available for use by Observatory visitors. The Exercise Room is located in the basement of the Residence Hall. In addition, a recreation room with a pool table and air hockey table is also located in the basement.
Local Calls: dial 9 and the 10-digit number. Long Distance: dial 9-1 and the 10-digit number. The site operator (Dial 0) located in Room 112 of the Jansky Lab (Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) can provide assistance and directories.
Business Calls
Observers and other official visitors to the site may use the telephone facilities for legitimate calls in connection with Observatory business, within reason. Personal calls should be paid by the visitor (see below).
Personal Long Distance Calls
All commercial long distance calls should be paid by the visitor. There are two ways to do this:
- use a personal telephone credit card
- use a pre-paid telephone calling card
Pre-paid cards are available for purchase at the Reception Desk at the Jansky Lab. Please do not make direct-dialed long distance calls for personal business, if at all possible.
The following individuals should be contacted if you have questions in their areas of responsibility:
| Area of Expertise | Title | Name | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Transportation Arrangements, – Residence Hall Housing – Cafeteria Services | Office Service Assistant | Mark Barnes | x2227 |
| – Business Management – Administrative Services | GB Business Manager | Christine Plumley | x2270 |
| – Proposal Scheduling | GBT Schedulers | Toney Minter Karen O’Neil | x2275 x2202 |
| – Astronomical Support | Head of Science Operations Your Project Friend | David Frayer check your DSS project page | x2223 xXXXX |
All visitors should be aware that radio emission from common devices such as cell phones, portable computers and other appliances can be detrimental to the ongoing observations with all telescopes onsite. There are some restrictions on the use of such devices in the Green Bank area.