The Greenbank Telescope

Jansky Telescope

This is a replica of the very first radio telescope, built by Karl Jansky.

Another early radio telescope.

140ft Telescope

The 140ft telescope. Built in 1965.

VLA Prototype

These antennas were part of the basis for building the VLA.

300ft Greenbank Telescope

This is the old 300ft Greenbank Telescope. After working many years beyond its original design life it decided to retire. It decided to do so with a bang, instead of giveing prior notice. More information can be found here.

The 100m Greenbank Telescope

Some cars at the base of the telescope give some scale. There are also a few cables hanging from the dish. They are part of a temporary lift used when the dish is being repainted. The telescope in the background is the old 140ft telescope.

The wheels

Standing next to the wheels starts to give an idea of the size of this telescope.

The surface of the dish

3D truss structure

The underside of the antenna is supported by a complicated looking three dimensional truss.

Detail of truss joint.

One day before my steel design class I came in early and put this up on the projector. Students were discouraged when I told them it would be on the test. Then the professor came in, stared it with a startled look, and said "Now that's a complicated joint!"

Feed horn defroster

Despite looking like a monster from a bad 70's sci-fi movie this is a useful peace of equipment. It defrosts the feed horns to prevent frost, snow, and ice from interfering with the signal.

The Receiver Cabin

In a room underneath the defroster is the receiver cabin. Seen here are a couple racks of support electronics.

Analog electronics

After arriving in the control building the receiver goes through a series of analog electronics prior to being digitized.

The Control Room

Anechoic chamber

The support labs at the Greenbank Telescope have an anechoic chamber for carefully examining what interference a device is generating. Remember that radio waves are electromagnetic, and are not the same thing as sound waves. The properties for making an anechoic chamber are very similar for both types of wave, with the result that the chambers look about the same. Both often use special foam, although the foam in this chamber has to be treated to have the correct radio properties. The wooden flooring used in parts of this chamber will produce audible echos but does not produce radio reflections.

Test antenna

This is a directional antenna used in the RF tests.

Detail of chamber wall