Astrobiology
Two Columns
Internship 2004
NRAO Trip 06.18.2005
July 16 - 17, 2004: Field Trip to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia.
The group poses for a picture in front of the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Pictured from left to right are: Nida Rauf (Salem College), Charles Poteet (Western Kentucky University), Amanda Cook (Connecticut College), Jeff Pedelty (Co-Investigator, NASA/GSFC), Yana Radeva (Connecticut College), Marina Yoder (Smith College), Anita Ganesan (Cornell University). Not pictured is Brooke Carter (University of Maryland, NASA/GSFC). |
Pausing for a leg stretch at an overlook, the group poses for a quick picture. |
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The front of the massive GBT. The telescope measures 100 x 110 meters and weighs 7300 metric tons! |
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The control room of the GBT. |
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Everyone gets an inside look at one of the GBT receivers that was being fixed. |
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The forty foot telescope in this picture was operated by the students. |
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Sue Ann Heatherly introduces the students to the 40 foot. |
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Inside the control room, the students learn how to operate the 40 foot. |
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The students learning how to drive! |
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After dinner, the students try to see how they measure up to the GBT. The red arrow is pointing to them! |
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The students take data on the 40 foot. |
NRAO Trip Summary
"Our trip to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) was a mix of awesome astronomy experience and good old-fashioned summer fun. This group had the amazing opportunity to visit the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). We were also priviledged to do our own observations of the galactic plane using the same 40-foot radio telescope that Francis Drake used in his first searches for alien signals. Between refreshing bike rides and hysterical pool games, we met impressive scientists from all over the world. During our tour of the GBT control room, astronomers were observing an elusive binary pulsar system--very exciting. All in all, we learned, we bonded, and a terrific time was had by all."
- Amanda Cook
Student Quotes
"The trip to NRAO was a very interesting and worthwhile experience, and we had the great opportunity to use a radio telescope and to see the facilities with which radio astronomers work. Our visit to Greenbank was definitely one of the highlights of the summer program, and I couldn't have enjoyed it more!"
-Yana Radeva
"My favorite conversation of the trip: (Referring to the 100m telescope) Jeff: 'What's that dark patch in the middle of the telescope?' Nida: 'I think it's a drain..'"
- Anita Ganesan
"My quote from the trip: 'I believe in aliens. Little purple men. They live in the woods.' (That was our tour guide, Micah.)"
- Marina Yoder
More From 2004
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