14Oct 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Near Death Experience: The Collapse of a Telescope

Technology
[caption id="attachment_9569" align="alignright" width="480"] The demise of the 300-foot telescope. Image: NRAO[/caption] A near death experience at an astronomy observatory? My son and I attended the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank West Virginia 140-foot radio telescope 50th year celebration. Most of my fellow attendees were new to me. I'd never met them before. This was because, first, many of them were from Green Bank, WV (I had been in Charlottesville, VA), and secondly, they were older than I am, having worked on the 140-foot from early on. A Casual Acquaintance - Near Death Experience One person I introduced myself to (I have learned to introduce myself to strangers, a wondrous practice, really) told me her husband was a mechanic on the 300-foot telescope that completely collapsed one night about…
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14Oct 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

50th Anniversary Celebration of the 140′ Radio Telescope at Green Bank WV

Astronomy
[caption id="attachment_9549" align="alignleft" width="300"] NRAO 140-foot radio telescope at Green Bank, WV.[/caption] We want to explore the history of the 140′ Radio Telescope... Sometimes people are honored for their achievements in the sciences. On Tuesday, October 13, 2015, a most interesting object was recognized for its groundbreaking exploration in the field of astrochemistry. It is the 140′ Radio Telescope completed in December of 1964. It is owned and operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) located in Green Bank, West Virginia. As a retiree of the Charlottesville, Virginia Central Development Lab, I was invited. It was an invitation I heartily accepted. Official Statement This NRAO public announcement of the event includes the proclamation by the Governor of West Virginia of the historical importance of the telescope. Included on the…
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