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Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

A white telescope dish is surrounded by wooded mountains in autumn colors.
Green Bank Observatory
Credit: NSF/GBO

Telescope Details

Website

Location

Green Bank Observatory, West Virginia 

Purpose

The world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, the Green Bank telescope can be pointed to most of the celestial hemisphere above it, using received radio signals to create large, high-resolution images and maps of the cosmos. 

NIST’s role

NIST built sensors and electronics for MUSTANG-2, one of several cameras on the telescope, used primarily to observe and study galaxy clusters, the largest objects in the universe. MUSTANG-2 was developed by a collaboration of NIST, the University of Pennsylvania, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the University of Michigan and Cardiff University.

Significant discoveries

MUSTANG-2 has measured the mass and gas pressure of 14 galaxy clusters, allowing astronomers to check previous assumptions based on indirect information and theories. It is the only camera with enough resolution to make such measurements, which provide accurate data on galaxy dynamics and cluster count maps that help explain how the universe evolved.

Other interesting facts

While MUSTANG-2 became operational in 2016, the Green Bank Observatory was dedicated in 1957 and has hosted many research milestones such as the first radio telescope search for extra-terrestrial life. The town of Green Bank is located within a National Radio Quiet Zone, which forbids use of devices that emit radio waves, including cellphones, Wi-Fi routers and even microwave ovens, to limit interference with the telescope.

Supported by

National Science Foundation

Operated by

Associated Universities Inc.

Media

Sensor with approximately circular shape is mounted on brass base.
Individual sensor
Credit: NIST
A gold-colored circle is studded with rows of sensors.
Camera focal plane with 215 NIST sensors
Credit: NIST
Created September 27, 2021, Updated May 30, 2025