GREEN BANK, W.Va. — A public meeting will be held Thursday evening at the Green Bank Observatory Science Center regarding the future of the facility.
The National Science Foundation is holding the public meeting regarding recommendations affecting the site’s future, which include collaboration with other parties to keep the facility operational, suspending operations, demolishing and restoring the site or no action whatsoever.
The NSF contributed 95 percent of the observatory’s funding in 2012, yet that amount has decreased.
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., as well as Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., issued statements earlier this month concerning the observatory’s future, with all saying they strongly support the facility, which attracts 50,000 annual visitors.
Thursday’s meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 155 Observatory Road, Green Bank, W.Va. 24915.
Public comments on the observatory’s future will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2018. Individuals can submit comments via email at envcomp-AST-greenbank@nsf.gov, or through the mail with letters directed to Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Green Bank Observatory, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Room W9152, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, Va. 22314.