The proposed NSF Fiscal year 2026 budget significantly reduces funding to the Green Bank Observatory by almost 70% and also states it “intends to pursue decommissioning and disposition” of the facility, which means either shutting it down or having it operated no longer as an Open Skies (open to the public) facility for science and education. The closing down or change of operation of the GBO would be a devastating loss to West Virginia. The GBO houses the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world, contributes world class science to current astronomical discoveries, provides essential information for planetary defense from interstellar threats in conjunction with other observatories, designs and tests innovative astronomy technology, contributes $30 million to WV’s economy, provides jobs for a very rural community, inspires thousands of students of all ages to pursue STEM careers, searches for ET, and is a scientific landmark – it’s a working symbol of West Virginia’s contributions to global discovery and innovation and a leader in inspiring STEM Education and Outreach.
Voices for Green Bank is a community of people willing to contact Congress and others to share their stories of how the Green Bank Observatory has impacted them and why it must remain fully funded and open to the public for continued Open Skies science and education operation. For those who would like to join this community and share their voice and story too, please visit our webpage gogreenbankobservatory.org. To learn how you can help, visit our Take Action page that provides specific things you can do to help secure the GBO’s future. In addition to providing resources to make it easier for people to contact key members of Congress, we are asking people to consider making a short video of why the GBO is so important to them in order to raise awareness about the need to secure the GBO’s future. The GBO has thousands of visitors and education groups of all ages come through their facility each year – and many will comment on how their time at the GBO is a profoundly life-changing experience. We cannot lose this important and unique facility, so please consider joining us – Call Congress to share your story and urge them to secure funding for the GBO to remain an open facility for science and education operation, and make a short video using #VoicesForGreenBank! For more information on the social media campaign, visit our Social Media Guide and Media Gallery.
Additionally, in partnership with Rescued Media, there will be a free and open to the public virtual screening of the film Small Town Universe on Thursday, September 4th at 7:30 pm. Small Town Universe is a documentary by Director Katie Dellamaggiore that shares stories from the communities touched by the Green Bank Observatory and how they coalesced to fight for its continued existence under a similar funding threat in 2016. Join us for a screening and panel discussion afterward, where you can talk with the director and film subjects and learn more about the current efforts to secure the GBO’s future. For details on how to register for the screening keep checking our website – sign-up details coming soon.
If you have any questions, please contact us at go.greenbankobservatory@gmail.com.