Green Bank Observatory
Green Bank West Virginia (WV)
June 7 – 11, 2025
The first trailblazers of American radio astronomy called Green Bank Observatory (GBO) home over 60 years ago. Today, their legacy is alive and well. Nestled in the mountain ranges and farmland of West Virginia (WV), within the National Quiet Zone (NQZ), radio astronomers are listening to the remote whispers of the universe, to discover answers to our most astounding astronomical questions.
The Eastern Conference for the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) and Radio Jove is an opportunity for amateur radio astronomers to come together for hands-on training, sharing of knowledge, debate of ideas, fellowship, and of course continuous learning. Our mission is to create opportunities for educating those interested in pursuing amateur radio astronomy.
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Conference meetings will be held in the main auditorium of the Jansky Laboratory at GBO with presentations by SARA members, Radio Jove members, GBO staff and distinguished speakers. Security and health restrictions permitting, tours of the facility, radio telescopes and laboratories will be conducted. Certain locations are open only to U.S. citizens who submit for a security review two weeks prior; however, most areas will be open to all attendees.
Fully interactive online participation will be available for those who cannot attend in person. Key advantages of in-person attendance are training and hands-on use of the historical 40-foot radio telescope as well as user tutorial and supervised control of the 20 Meter radio telescope.
In the evenings from Saturday (June 7) through Tuesday (June 10) we will have round table discussions and refreshments in Drake’s lounge. Outside Drake’s Lounge there is ample space to set up and conduct radio astronomy experiments as well as opportunities to use the 40-foot telescope.
Registration:
● Registration for Eastern Conference is open from March 1, 2025 – May 29, 2025
● Registration for SARA and Radio Jove Members (US Dollars):
o In-Person Attendance: $225.00
o Online Attendance: $25.00
● Registration includes meals, evening activities, hands-on activities, and opportunities for observations, but does not include lodging.
● The fee for family members or other guests who do not participate in conference sessions is $95.00 (USD), which includes meals and evening activities.
Presenters:
- Abstract Submissions are being accepted from February 10 through March 28, 2025
- Final presentations and paper submissions are due May 2, 2025
- Please submit your abstracts and final presentations and papers to vicepresident@radio-astronomy.org
Meals:
● Meals in the Green Bank Observatory cafeteria are included in the registration fee for in-person attendance.
Lodging:
● Lodging is not included in the conference registration fee.
● A small number of on-site dormitory rooms may become available for conference speakers, support staff and SARA officers. Other conference attendees may request rooms on a standby basis, but it is highly recommended that attendees arrange off-site accommodation.
● A cabin and RV/camping sites are available nearby at Boyer Station Campground (1.304.456.4667)
● Numerous VRBO / Airbnb properties and private rentals are near GBO.
● A list of many properties is at https://pocahontascountywv.com/lodging/. .
● The Bear Creek Lodge in the town of Cass and the Mountain Quest Inn north of Marlinton are about 20 minutes away from the observatory.
● Several chain accommodations are located about 30 miles away in Elkins, but that drive takes at least an hour due to mountainous roads.
● Snowshoe Mountain area has several lodging facilities (https://www.snowshoemtn.com/plan-your-trip/lodging)
● The Marlinton Motor Inn is about a 45-minute drive.
KeyNote Speaker(s):
● To Be Announced (TBA)
What Green Bank Observatory Visitors need to know:
● No Cellular Phone Service - GBO is in the National Radio Quiet Zone and there is no wireless phone service in the area. Use of wi-fi devices and satellite phones such as Iridium or Globalstar near the facility is not allowed, and severe restrictions are placed on digital cameras, although film cameras without electronic flash are allowed. There is a computer lab available during the day.
● Pre-Conference Activities - Suggested pre-conference activities include free self-guided tours of the Green Bank Observatory Science Center and reasonably priced guided tours of the radio telescope area. Details with a link for ticket purchase (https://greenbankobservatory.org/visit/)
o An overall guide to other activities and attractions in the area: https://pocahontascountywv.com/things-to-do/
● Contact: Please contact the conference coordinator, Marcus Fisher, if you have any questions
o vicepresident@radio-astronomy.org
● Additional Information: Additional details and updates will be published online at www.radio‐astronomy.org and in the SARA journal, Radio Astronomy.
National Radio Quiet Zone and Major Roads to Green Bank:
Green Bank Observatory Site Map:
