Government lifts Wi-Fi ban in secretive ‘quiet zone’amid observatory tourism

A highly restrictive area inGreen Bank, West Virginia,has introduced Wi-Fi for the first time ever — with visitors continuing to check out the secretive community.

Dubbed the Quiet Zone, the area is home to the U.S.National Science Foundation Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO).

The observatory houses the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.There is a 13,000 square mile radius around the GBO that limits cell towers and antenna heights — and requires coordination for transmissions, even microwave links.

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The observatory, built in 1956, operates 24 hours a day.

In August, the GBO announced that Green Bank Elementary and Middle School, located next to the observatory’s telescope, would be allowed to beginusing Wi-Fi.

Green Bank Observatory’s Quiet Zone in West Virginia has introduced Wi-Fi for the first time.(NSF GBO)

Residents and businesses may also use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in the Quiet Zone.

“The radio frequencies that Wi-Fi use[s] to connect with phones, tablets and other devices are the same type of wavelengths emitted by objects in space,” a press release notes.

The observatory houses the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.(Emily Kask for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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“When these Quiet Zones were created in the late 1950s, by theFederal Communications Commissionand the state of West Virginia, officials could not have predicted the technology using radio wavelengths that are almost an essential part of our daily lives,” said Remijan.

�t seen an immediate rise in visitors, thepublic science centerhosts about 50,000 visitors a year.

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“Observatory leadership worked with the [school’s] principal and vice principal on this [recent] change.Information was given to the school IT staff from our [National Radio Quiet Zone] staff for the school staff to implement,” said Malusky.

Upon arrival at the observatory,visitors must disableall wireless signals on mobile phones and other smart devices. 

About 50,000 people visit the public science center each year.(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

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Guests can learn about howradio astronomyteaches scientists about the universe while exploring interactive exhibits. 

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They can also see inside GBO’s historic telescopes.

The observatory’s grounds are free and open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset, the venue notes on its website.Guests are “welcome toexplore our trailsor take a self-guided tour of our site.”

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In addition to what’s offered on site, “Green Bank staff travel around the country and around the world to take part in educational programs and to talk about the science and technology” of the observatory.

Ashley J.