The National Radio Astronomy Observatory/Associated Universities Inc. Archives actively seeks out, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to institutional records, personal papers, multimedia materials, and oral histories of enduring value which document NRAO’s historical development, institutional history, instrument construction, and ongoing activities, including its participation in multi-institutional collaborations. As the national facility for radio astronomy, the Archives also includes materials on history and development of radio astronomy in the United States, particularly if such materials are in danger of being lost or discarded by other institutions or individuals.

Click below for links to our Finding Aids or search for items here.

VLA     Ron Bracewell touching up signature pier on spectroheliograph dish    2013 Charlottesville Summer Students    Karl G. Jansky        Nan Dieter    Tour of Correlator Lab, 23 September 2011     Reber       Warren Wooddell standing in the completed Calibration Horn Antenna, 1959      Martha Stahr Carpenter      NRAO Directors     Artist's conception of ALMA.      300 Foot control room

The Archives does not include archived observational data from NRAO telescopes, astronomical images created after 2012, or equipment and instruments. Click here for links to archived observational data. A selection of astronomical images created through 2012 may be found in our Legacy Astronomical Images collection. Astronomical images created after 2012 may be found in the NRAO Multimedia Gallery. NRAO numbered internal report series, Green Bank workshop proceedings, NRAO reprint series, etc. are included in the Library collection. Other information and links on radio astronomy history may be found here. The Web page for the IAU-URSI Historical Radio Astronomy Working Group is here.

Please refer to our Archives Policy for more detailed information on collection policy and access, or contact the NRAO/AUI Archives at 1-434-296-0203 or through our online form. Although many materials on NRAO's history are not yet formally part of the Archives, you are encouraged to contact us with any questions, as we are aware of the location of many documents at NRAO which will eventually be added to the collection.

We are actively seeking documents which will enhance our collection, and recognize that many pieces of our history may be held by current and former staff, or by non-NRAO people who served on AUI or NRAO boards and committees or were involved in building our instruments. We would be happy to discuss any potential donations of material.