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The Very Large Array
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009I doubt I’m alone when I say that after watching the movie Contact I was very interested in seeing the array of giant white radio antennas sitting out on the plains of San Augustin, New Mexico, or more specifically, the middle of nowhere. It took me 12 years but I was finally here!
Not Satellite Dishes
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009These 27 antennas function like satellite dishes but they are not pointed at satellites. They are pointed at deep space and, together, function as a single large radio telescope.
Look Out for Snakes
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009Although we never saw one, there are plenty of warnings posted about rattlesnakes. Apparently, they are thick in this area.
No. 5
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009The antennas are arrayed on three 13-mile long arms that intersect to form a “Y” pattern. They are unbolted from their foundations and moved via railroad tracks every three to four months – either closer together or farther apart – to focus the telescope on different parts of the sky.
Restricted
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009- July 2009Visitors are extremely limited in where they can go. I wasn’t sure if this was for our own safety (snakes), the safety of the antennas, or to prevent interference with the operation of the telescope. If I would have been thinking, I would have asked the security guy who dropped by to ask me to return to the path…
Six of a Kind
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009- July 2009
Six Ears on Two Arms
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009- July 2009
Mover
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009The specially designed orange locomotive slides right under the antennas and moves them where they need to go next.
In For a Tune Up
NRAO VLA, New Mexico - July 2009It was starting to get warm so someone thought it might be time for an Otter Pop – not that there’s ever a bad time for an Otter Pop.
previous image set: San Francisco de Asis Mission, New Mexico
next image set: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
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