Green Bank Telescope

Definition

The Green Bank Telescope (GBT) is a fully steerable radio telescope located in Green Bank, West Virginia. It is the world's largest fully steerable single-dish radio telescope and plays a crucial role in astronomical observations across multiple wavelengths.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Green Bank Telescope has a dish diameter of 100 meters, making it the largest of its kind.
2. It operates at frequencies ranging from 0.29 to 116 GHz, allowing it to observe a wide range of astronomical phenomena.
3. The GBT is part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).
4. Its location in the National Radio Quiet Zone minimizes interference from human-made radio signals.
5. The telescope has contributed significantly to discoveries in fields such as pulsars, star formation, and complex molecules in space.

Review Questions

• What is the diameter of the dish on the Green Bank Telescope?
• Why is the location of the GBT significant for its operations?
• What frequency range can the GBT observe?

Related terms

Arecibo Observatory: A large radio telescope located in Puerto Rico that was known for its contributions to astronomy before its collapse in 2020.

Very Large Array (VLA): A radio astronomy observatory located in New Mexico consisting of an array of 27 radio antennas.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO): An organization that provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by scientists around the world.