Green Bank, Research settlement in Pocahontas County, United States
Green Bank is a small settlement in West Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, home to a major radio telescope facility. The observatory operates advanced equipment designed to detect radio signals from space and conduct astronomical research.
The observatory was established in the 1950s when scientists recognized that this mountain valley was ideal for sensitive radio observations. The area later became a center for international research, attracting astronomers from around the world.
The settlement's identity is shaped by its connection to radio astronomy, with residents deeply involved in or supportive of the observatory's mission. Daily life here revolves around the research community and the scientific importance of the location.
The location is accessible by mountain roads, and visitors should prepare for changeable weather, especially during winter months. Basic lodging and dining options are available in the area, though infrastructure is limited.
Federal law restricts radio transmissions in the surrounding area to protect the sensitive instruments from interference. This radio-quiet zone makes Green Bank one of the most electronically silent places in the country, something visitors with older devices may notice immediately.
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