National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Come enjoy the Green Bank Science Center, featuring hands-on exhibits and displays that introduce you to the science of radio astronomy while you play! Discover what radio waves are, how the Green Bank Telescope works, and what radio astronomers have learned about the universe. Admission to the Science Center and the hands-on Exhibit Hall is free! The Green Bank Science Center is the starting point for your guided tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) site. Your personal guide will introduce you to the fascinating world of radio astronomy and feature science demonstrations and a short film about the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Your tour continues with a bus excursion through our gates into the RFI-restricted Zone 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. Enjoy a bite to each at our Starlight cafe featuring a full service menu-from lattes to fresh salads and burgers, you'll find something for everyone! This facility is included in "A Guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia." Please check the Guide or the site for information on accessibility. Please note - a self-reporting survey was used to compile the information in this Guide; every attempt was made to verify the accuracy of the information but West Virginia Division of Tourism is not responsible for errors or inaccuracies.