WVU partners with operators of Green Bank Telescope

GREEN BANK, W.Va. — Funding from West Virginia University will help keep the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope open in Pocahontas County for a little while.

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller announced the agreement between WVU and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the site manager, on Friday.

With it, WVU will provide $1 million over the next two years to help pay for telescope personnel and operations in exchange for 500 additional research hours on the telescope for WVU faculty and students.

Rockefeller lead a meeting focused on the future of the Green Bank Telescope last month.

“The observatory is vital to scientific research, exploration and discovery and its presence in our mountains creates a pride that all West Virginians hold close to their hearts,” said Rockefeller in a statement.  “I’ve promised to fight ceaselessly to keep it open and thriving.”

Rockefeller is the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology.

Last year, a review committee recommended that the National Science Foundation divest from the Green Bank Observatory during the next five years.

No decision has yet been made on that recommendation.

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.  It has been in full-scale scientific operation since 2002.





More News

News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm
News
Speakers at Focus Forward symposium discuss AI capabilities in West Virginia
The event was organized by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
March 27, 2024 - 8:30 pm
News
Justice vetoes vaccination exemption bill, draws praise from healthcare groups
Educational and healthcare organizations banded together to urge a veto.
March 27, 2024 - 6:35 pm
News
Testimony wraps up in attempt to remove 2 Jefferson County commissioners from office
Three-judge panel hears 2 days of testimony.
March 27, 2024 - 5:11 pm


Your Comments