Green Bank Observatory

How dark the sky is at Green Bank Observatory: Bortle Class 3, rural sky

The zenith sky here reads 21.83 magnitudes per square arcsecond. That is about 1.2 times the brightness of a pristine natural sky (22.0), the extra coming from artificial light scattered in the air.

Sky brightness and class come from the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness (Falchi et al. 2016, CC BY-NC 4.0), with natural skyglow added. On the night, haze, smoke, humidity and the Moon set the real limit; see every Bortle Class 3 place.

What's up from Green Bank Observatory by season

At latitude 38.4°N, the north celestial pole stands 38° above the horizon, close to Polaris. Every star north of declination -52° rises at some time of year. The Milky Way core in Sagittarius climbs to 23° above the southern horizon. These are the constellations well placed, 35° or more above the horizon, at about 10 pm in the middle of each season, brightest first.

Showpieces from Green Bank Observatory through the year

At about 10 pm on the 15th of each month; a dash means the sight is below 25° then.

Never set from Green Bank Observatory

• Camelopardalis
• Cassiopeia
• Cepheus
• Draco
• Ursa Major
• Ursa Minor

Only skim the southern horizon from Green Bank Observatory

• Centaurus
• Grus
• Lupus
• Phoenix
• Telescopium
• Vela

Never rise from Green Bank Observatory

• Apus
• Ara
• Carina
• Chamaeleon
• Circinus
• Crux
• Dorado
• Horologium
• Hydrus
• Indus
• Mensa
• Musca
• Norma
• Octans
• Pavo
• Pictor
• Reticulum
• Triangulum Australe
• Tucana
• Volans

Where to set up at Green Bank Observatory

The coordinates on this page point to Green Bank Telescope and Science Center, at 807 m (2,650 ft): 38.433°N, 79.840°W.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Open the larger map · Directions. Arrive before dark, park facing away from other observers, and use red light only.

Green Bank Observatory among the dark sky places of West Virginia

Each dot is a dark sky place, colored by Bortle class; select one for its page. Diamonds are star parties. See West Virginia dark sky places for the full list, darkest first.

Camping and lodging at Green Bank Observatory

The nearest town with motels or inns is Marlinton, WV. Check the official site for campgrounds and overnight rules; many parks close their gates at night, so ask about after-dark access.

Dark sky places nearest Green Bank Observatory

Star parties near Green Bank Observatory

Planning a trip? Astrotourism in West Virginia puts the dark sky places, observatories, clubs, star parties, planetariums and science centers of the state on one map, with the best night out worked out.

Observatories inside Green Bank Observatory, and astronomy clubs nearby

• Green Bank Telescope (GBT)Open to the public. Science Center open 9:30 am-5:30 pm (daily in summer, Thu-Mon in school year); guided bus tours of the GBT site $10
• Green Bank 140 Foot TelescopeResearch observatory. Seen on Green Bank Science Center site tours

Observatories within 100 km

• Stokesville ObservatoryStokesville, Virginia, 61 km (38 mi), research observatory
• Good Hope ObservatoryClarksburg, West Virginia, 97 km (60 mi), open to the public

Nearest astronomy clubs

• Central Appalachian Astronomy ClubGrafton, West Virginia, 102 km (64 mi)
• Charlottesville Astronomical SocietyCharlottesville, Virginia, 123 km (77 mi). Meets 1st Wednesday monthly, 7-9 pm
• Roanoke Valley Astronomical SocietyRoanoke, Virginia, 131 km (82 mi)
• Blue Ridge Astronomy ClubForest, Virginia, 131 km (82 mi). Meets Usually 4th Tuesday monthly, local public library community room in Bedford/Forest/Lynchburg area (varies)
• WVU Astronomy ClubMorgantown, West Virginia, 135 km (84 mi)

See observatories and astronomy clubs in West Virginia. Local clubs often hold their star parties at dark sky places like this one.

Green Bank Observatory record

From the site's dark sky places dataset (parks_q426). The sky by season is computed from the coordinates.