Green Bank, West Virginia, is home to the world's most sensitive radio telescope and the only U.S. town where Wi-Fi and cell phones are banned.

In this radio-quiet community, the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope searches for faint signals that might reveal whether we are alone.

But the telescope has also shaped an extraordinary community here on Earth.

Small Town Universe follows four residents whose lives are intertwined with this remarkable place.

As federal funding for the telescope hangs in the balance, the future of Green Bank and the people who call it home becomes uncertain, raising a deeper question about what we choose to listen for and what kinds of connections truly matter.

  • Ellie

    A young woman dreaming of becoming an astrophysicist

  • George

    A retired engineer reflecting on the telescope he helped build

  • Donnie

    A lifelong local rooted in the town’s history

  • Sue

    A newcomer discovering the unexpected beauty of life off the grid

STU_SETI_Sc4e.jpg

“At a time when science funding is at unprecedented risk, it's more important than ever to show the direct impact it has on the lives of everyday people.”

-Claire Lamman, PHD Candidate at Harvard's Center for Astrophysics”

“The film will serve as an invaluable resource for educators and policy makers interested in promoting science education as a key pillar for an informed and engaged citizenry.”

-Dr. Jill Tarter, Chair Emeritus for SETI Research at the SETI Institute and the inspiration for Jodie Foster’s character in the film, Contact