The Green Bank Telescope

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The Green Bank Telescope
lyrics © 2000 by Dr. H. Paul Shuch
Sung to the tune of Hope Eyrie, © 1976 by Leslie Fish
written to honor the dedication of the GBT, 25 August 2000

At Green Bank back in 'eighty eight
Our ears heard the horrible sound
Of destruction, damage, and total loss
As a dish three hundred feet across
Came crashing to the ground.

Chorus:

But the giant antenna
Known as GBT
Soon will earn her place in history.

Zapped by aliens, some have said,
For playing out of our league.
I know the tabloids are way off base.
In reality it's just a case
Of simple metal fatigue.

Chorus

Replacement instruments could be built
At astronomical cost,
But if Congress failed to appropriate
Seventy million before too late,
Oh, the data that would be lost!

Chorus

Construction lasted a dozen years.
The design is truly unique:
A hundred meters from side to side,
Its unblocked aperture apodized
To hear the universe speak.

Chorus

Two thousand panels that all can move
Maintaining appropriate curve,
Both prime focus and Gregorian feeds
Scan the bands that astronomy needs,
And science she shall serve.

Chorus

Taller than the Statue of Liberty,
No dish was ever so large.
And with modern microwave circuitry
She'll see farther than any can see,
And sing the song of the stars.

Chorus

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