The Green Bank Observatory (previously National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank) is an astronomical observatory located in the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, U.S.

[1] The observatory was established as the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in 1956 and made its first observations in 1958.

[2][3][4][5] It served as the NRAO's headquarters until 1966, after which the facility was known as the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank.

[4][7][8][9] Green Bank Observatory subsequently retained partial NSF funding, established private contracts, and formed a partnership with West Virginia University.

[10][4] It is operated by the nonprofit Associated Universities, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.