What is the Very Large Array New Mexico?
Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) is a centimeter-wavelength radio astronomy observatory located in central New Mexico on the Plains of San Agustin, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, ~50 miles (80 km) west of Socorro.
Why was the Very Large Array built?
When was the Very Large Array built? Beginning in the 1960s, scientists conceived of a gigantic radio dish array that could complement the work of single-dish facilities, according to a history from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which oversees the VLA.
Why is the Very Large Array in New Mexico?
The Plains of San Agustin in New Mexico, northwest of Socorro, is a flat stretch of desert far from major cities. The Plains are ringed by mountains, which act like a natural fortress of rock that keeps out much of the radio interference from cities even hundreds of miles away.
How much did the Very Large Array cost?
The total cost was $78,578,000 (in 1972 dollars), roughly $1 per tax-payer at the time; the project was completed within the allotted budget. Location: Plains of San Agustin, west of Socorro, New Mexico.
How many telescopes are in the Very Large Array?
The wider an array is, the bigger its eye is, and the more detail it can see out in space. The VLA’s unique shape gives us three nice long arms of nine telescopes each….At A Glance.
| Number of antennas | 28 (27 active and 1 spare) |
|---|---|
| B configuration size | 7.08 miles across |
| C configuration size | 2.11 miles across |
What has the Very Large Array shown us?
The Very Large Array is the most versatile, widely-used radio telescope in the world. It can map large-scale structure of gas and molecular clouds and pinpoint ejections of plasma from supermassive black holes.
How many people work at the Very Large Array?
On any given day at the VLA you will find from two to a hundred people working to keep the telescope healthy and in good working condition. The following links will take you to the different work areas and introduce you to the people who make the VLA the phenomenal instrument that it is!
What do they do at the Very Large Array?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqX9vLj3_7w