Our D.C. Diary: NRAO

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to drive 5 hours to West Virginia to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory with a group of other Einstein Fellows. The facility is funded mainly by the National Science Foundation and uses radio telescopes, including the 100 meter Green Bank Telescope (see first picture below), to research and record natural radio waves emitted from sources in the universe. A football field could fit on the telescope...crazy big! Where we stayed on the facility we were in the US National Radio Quiet Zone. All vehicles around the telescopes run on diesel (which minimize interference by ignition systems), no cell or wi-fi service, and when we were close to the telescopes we weren't allowed to even use our cameras, unless we were underground running a telescope in a faraday cage set up.

What was surprising to many of us was how "vintage" so much of the facility was. The telescope we were able to use to find universe radio waves reminded many of us of LOST and the old buttons and computers that Desmond had to run underground. We were felt like we were in the Dharma Initiative...it made for great jokes.

The community also held a Halloween party for the kids of the astronomers, facility workers and neighbors...which Natalie and Sawyer and I crashed. We didn't bring costumes so they work their pajamas. It was the strangest party I have ever been too...and included a hay ride around the telescope.

Also, just spending a weekend out of the city with our eclectic group of new friends was relaxing and silly.