Green Bank, West Virginia (Drake's Radio Telescope Site)
Photo: Gnuish, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia houses what was once the birthplace of modern SETI research, where Frank Drake conducted humanity's first systematic search for extraterrestrial radio signals in 1960. Located in the National Radio Quiet Zone, this facility sits in a valley surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, providing natural shielding from radio interference. The original 85-foot Howard E. Tatel Radio Telescope used for Project Ozma has been replaced by more advanced instruments, but the site remains active as a premier radio astronomy facility. Today, visitors can see the massive Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, which stands 485 feet tall and features a 100-meter dish, making it one of the world's largest fully steerable radio telescopes.
Timeline
Construction begins on the Green Bank Observatory facility in West Virginia's National Radio Quiet Zone
Frank Drake conducts Project Ozma, the first modern scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence using the 85-foot Tatel telescope
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope begins operations, becoming the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope
What the Show Claims
- ›Frank Drake's 1960 radio telescope experiment represents the birth of humanity's organized attempt to detect extraterrestrial signals, demonstrating the scientific community's implicit acknowledgment that alien intelligence existsS01E05
From the Transcripts
“In 1960, astronomer and physicist Frank Drake set up an unusual telescope in the hills of West Virginia. The strange device was made from surplus World War II radar equipment.”
What Archaeology Says
Rather than traditional archaeology, Green Bank represents a pivotal moment in the history of scientific methodology and humanity's search for cosmic companionship. Frank Drake's Project Ozma in 1960 marked the first systematic attempt to detect artificial radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations, targeting the nearby stars Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani over a period of 150 hours using surplus World War II radar equipment modified with a directional antenna.
The experiment, though it detected no confirmed extraterrestrial signals, established the scientific framework for what would become the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program. Drake's approach was methodical and conservative, focusing on frequencies near the 21-centimeter hydrogen line where natural cosmic noise is minimal. This pioneering work led to the development of the famous Drake Equation, which attempts to estimate the number of communicating civilizations in our galaxy.
The scientific consensus views Project Ozma as a landmark achievement in radio astronomy, demonstrating that systematic searches for artificial signals could be conducted with existing technology. While no definitive extraterrestrial signals have been confirmed from Green Bank or other SETI facilities, the work has contributed significantly to our understanding of cosmic radio phenomena and continues to inform modern searches.
What remains genuinely intriguing is the scope of what we haven't yet detected or understood. The universe contains countless radio sources, and our technology continues to improve in sensitivity and analytical capability. The question of whether we simply haven't looked long enough, in the right directions, or at the right frequencies remains one of the most compelling mysteries in modern science.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The National Radio Quiet Zone around Green Bank covers over 13,000 square miles and restricts radio transmissions to protect sensitive astronomical observations
Project Ozma was named after the fictional princess in L. Frank Baum's Oz books, reflecting Drake's sense of wonder about distant worlds
The facility's location was chosen partly because the surrounding mountains naturally shield it from radio interference from populated areas
Green Bank's current telescope can detect a cell phone signal from Jupiter if one were transmitting from that distance
Planning a Visit
Green Bank Observatory offers public tours and educational programs, though access may be limited during active research periods. The facility's location in the National Radio Quiet Zone means electronic devices must be turned off or left in vehicles, creating an unusually quiet environment for visitors to contemplate our place in the cosmos.
Lewisburg, West Virginia, approximately 35 miles southeast
Spring through fall generally offers the best weather and tour availability, though the facility operates year-round. Winter visits can be particularly atmospheric given the site's role in humanity's cosmic search.
Related Sites
Big Ear Radio Telescope, Ohio State University
Another pioneering SETI facility that detected the famous 'Wow!' signal in 1977, representing the next generation of extraterrestrial signal detection efforts
White Sands Proving Ground
A military testing facility where early radar and rocket technology was developed, providing the technological foundation for later radio astronomy work
Roswell
The site of the alleged 1947 UFO incident that sparked modern interest in extraterrestrial visitation, representing the popular culture side of humanity's cosmic curiosity