Home of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
Come see for yourself! The Green Bank Observatory is open year-round and serves over 45,000 visitors a year. Our 25,000 square foot Science Center is the starting point for your guided tour of the Green Bank Observatory telescope site and contains the Catching the Wave Exhibit Hall, an 150-seat auditorium, classrooms, a gift shop, and even a full menu at our Starlight Café. Check out our Science Center Tour Brochure!
How do I get up close to the GBT? Do you offer public tours?
Yes! Our Science Center is the starting point for your guided tour of the Green Bank Observatory site. Join one of our popular guided tours and explore the fascinating world of radio astronomy. The telescope tour features science demonstrations and a short film about the world-class Green Bank Telescope. Your tour continues with a bus excursion through our gates into the RFI-restricted Zone I for an up-close look at our telescopes from the pioneering instruments of the 1950s to the world’s largest fully-steerable telescope, the GBT.
Besides a Tour, what Else Can I do at the Observatory?
While you are visiting, you can hike or even bike the miles of trails we have on our site. Trail maps are available in the kiosk outside of the Science Center entrance and all trails are clearly marked. Remember that digital photography and cellular phones are not allowed near the telescopes! When you are walking or biking the trails, turn your phones off, and only use film cameras.
The Green Bank Science Center also houses the “Catching the Wave” hands-on Exhibit Hall. Admission to our Exhibit Hall is free! Enjoy interactive, hands-on exhibits exploring the electromagnetic spectrum, radio science, our site history and more! Please plan at least 30 minutes to enjoy the exhibits.
Galaxy Gift shop
Visit the Galaxy Gift Shop for a great selection of Green Bank Observatory souvenirs, educational toys, West Virginia-made items and astronomy-themed merchandise. The selection is out-of-this-world! Educators enjoy a 10% discount.
Hungry? Stop by the Starlight Cafe!
The Starlight Cafe, located in the Green Bank Science Center, serves fresh salads and wraps, grilled burgers, hot dogs, hand-dipped ice cream and more! Enjoy your meal with a view! Seating is in our lobby with an incredible view of the Green Bank Telescope and surrounding mountains. Where else can you view the world’s largest fully-steerable telescope while sharing a scoop (or two!) of some moose tracks ice cream?