The Very Large Array
The Very Large Array (VLA) is a radio astronomy observatory located on the Plains of San Augustin in New Mexico, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, fifty miles (80 kilometers) west of Socorro. U.S. Route 60 passes through the complex. The VLA stands at an elevation of 6,970 feet (2,124 meters) above sea level. It is a component of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).
It has 27 radio antennas arranged in a Y configuration with nine antennas on each arm. Each antenna is 82 feet (25 meters) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of an antenna 22 miles (36 kilometers) across, with the sensitivity of a dish 422 feet (130 meters) in diameter.
The VLA can cover frequencies between 0.073 and 50 GHz, and wavelengths between 400 and 0.7 centimeters. It can receive the following bands:
4 Band (0.073-0.0745 GHz frequencies, 400
cm wavelength)
P Band (0.30-0.34 GHz frequencies, 90 cm
wavelength)
L Band (1.34-1.73 GHz frequencies, 20 cm
wavelength)
C Band (4.5-5.0 GHz frequencies, 6 cm
wavelength)
X Band (8.0-8.8 GHz frequencies, 3.6 cm
wavelength)
U Band (14.4-15.4 GHz frequencies, 2 cm
wavelength)
K Band (22-24 GHz frequencies, 1.3 cm
wavelength)
Q Band (40-50 GHz frequencies, 0.7 cm
wavelength)
The total cost of the VLA was $78,578,000 (in 1972 dollars), roughly $1 per taxpayer at the time. Unlike most publicly-funded projects, it was completed almost one year early, and within the allotted budget.
On the web: NRAO Very Large Array — Official website
On the San Augustin Plain, New Mexico
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Comments and faves
Pete Zarria (35 months ago | reply)
So you went by Socorro and St. Mary.
djade20 (35 months ago | reply)
So now we can talk to aliens!
Great photo and information as usual.
MysteryStevenson1 (35 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Anti Gravity, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Beast 1 added this photo to his favorites. (32 months ago)
This photo was invited and added to the Anti Gravity group.
Baker Stass added this photo to his favorites. (21 months ago)
kbmooka (19 months ago | reply)
Request for to be a part of this SPACE experience. I would like to visit a SPACE Station for Lusuire and stay at Luxury SPACE Centers. Kindly, help my family and I to place reservations to these facilities in Mars, Jupiter & the Moon. Thank you for recormending any AWESOME SPACE procreational events.
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Kabelo Mooka
EveryBodiesDeadDave added this photo to his favorites. (3 months ago)