National Radio Astronomy Observatory: Meaning and Definition of

Na'tional Ra'dio Astron"omy Observ"atory

1. an observatory founded in 1956 by the National Science Foundation, currently with three sites of operation: one near Green Bank, W. Va., having 300-ft. (91-m) and 140-ft. (43-m) paraboloidal dishes; one on Kitt Peak in Arizona having a 36-ft. (11-m) radio telescope; and the Very Large Array in New Mexico.