GREEN BANK, W.Va. – The National Science Foundation is evaluating options for West Virginia's Green Bank Observatory, ranging from collaboration with outside partners to continue its science and education mission to demolishing it.
Options include collaborations to operate it as a technology and education park, mothballing the facilities and continuing support.
The observatory, located by the Monongahela National Forest, includes a 100-meter-diameter single-dish radio telescope, instrumentation for astronomy and astrophysics, office and laboratory buildings, a visitor and education facility and lodging facilities for visiting scientists.
It has about 100 year-round employees and 50,000 annual visitors.
In 2012, the foundation provided 95 percent of Green Bank's funding, but since then has reduced its financial support. Last year, it announced it would conduct an environmental impact statement process to "evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with proposed changes to operations at Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia."
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., calls the observatory "a national treasure" that helps to foster discovery and inspire future generations to pursue science.
"As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have supported its continued operations and worked with the National Science Foundation every step of the way as this study was being developed," Capito said in a news release.
U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., said he strongly supports Green Bank and urges the NSF to do the same.
The NSF will hold a public meeting from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Green Bank Science Center to discuss its draft report.
Public comments on the draft report also will be accepted for the next 60 days and may be emailed to envcomp-AST-greenbank@nsf.gov, with the subject line Green Bank Observatory. Letters may also be mailed to the NSF via Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Green Bank Observatory, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Suite W9152, Alexandria, VA 22314.