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

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.

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

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.

"When Wi-Fi is on at the same time, these frequencies overlap - and hide - what the scientists are looking for," it adds.

Anthony Remijan, NSF GBO director, said in a press release the organization is trying to balance scientific operations with the modern-day reality of Wi-Fi.

"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.

They can also see inside GBO's historic telescopes.

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.