20 Meter Geodetic Telescope

The 20-meter diameter telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, WV, was constructed by RSI and completed in late 1994.

Originall run by NRAO and funded by the US Naval Observatory (USNO), it was part of the National Earth Orientation Service (NEOS) telescope network, and part of the USNO Navy Network (NAVNET) participating in a global program of Earth Orientation VLBI measurements in cooperation with the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS), and with the NASA Space Geodesy program.

The 20-meter program was shut down in June 2000, due to budget cutbacks at USNO. It is now being refurbished as part of the SkyNet telescope project. It is also being used to as a test telescope for the FLAG project.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.