Hat Creek Radio Observatory

Hat Creek Radio Observatory is a research facility in California that studies the universe by listening to radio waves from space. The site uses multiple large dish antennas spread across the area to capture faint signals from distant stars and galaxies.

The facility was founded in the 1950s by the University of California Berkeley to investigate radio waves from space. It became a site of important astronomical discoveries that helped scientists learn more about distant objects in the universe.

The facility maintains a visitor center where people learn about radio astronomy techniques, celestial observations, and current research projects during Thursday and Friday hours.

Visitors should turn off cell phones and GPS devices as they can interfere with the sensitive equipment. The site is located in a remote area of northern California, so checking road conditions and visiting hours in advance is helpful.

The facility operates multiple specialized systems that observe different sky regions simultaneously, allowing astronomers to compare data from various instruments. This coordinated observation method has helped scientists investigate fast radio bursts and other rare cosmic events.

Location: California

Website: https://seti.org/hcro

GPS coordinates: 40.81780,-121.47300

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45