Green Bank radio telescope. Night view of the dish antenna of the 43-metre radio telescope at the Green Bank observatory, West Virginia, USA. The surface of the parabolic antenna is covered with a precise reflecting surface of aluminium foil which allows observations at wavelengths of 2 cm and above. It is used for observing narrow spectral lines such as those emitted by ionised hydrogen and helium. It has been used for interferometric observations with other American and European telescopes to produce detailed images. This telescope commenced operation in 1965, and is often used by the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) institute.