Legacy

This is what can be done when the political will to do so is there

Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

100x110m fully steerable, off-axis, active surface radio telescope.

Very nice, very productive.

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Too bad it had to be built in West Virginia.... Even Robert Byrd couldn't keep the National Radio Quiet Zone quiet, or the Green Bank atmosphere dry and transparent. But he sure could find funds.

RIP Senator Byrd.

By astroprof (not verified) on 28 Jun 2010 #permalink

If only there were powerful senior senators from dry southwestern desert states with high plateaus who could use a major high technology construction projects to provide a local stimulus and boost long term tech and science prospects...

"If only there were powerful senior senators from dry southwestern desert states with high plateaus who could use a major high technology construction projects to provide a local stimulus and boost long term tech and science prospects..."

... then they could do what legislators from all over the country would like to do. It's pork, pure and simple. Astronomically it's a good thing, as opposed to a bad thing. For local stimulus, long term tech and science prospects, it's just one of many potential good things, many of which might have been better than this was.

By Harris Tweed (not verified) on 05 Jul 2010 #permalink