Array Operations Center

The Array Operations Center is a facility that monitors and controls radiotelescope networks spanning multiple locations. The center houses specialized equipment and control systems that allow operators to manage ten distributed telescope stations simultaneously from a single location.

The facility was created to operate the Very Long Baseline Array network, a project coordinating radiotelescopes across large distances. It evolved into a key center for remote monitoring and data collection in radio astronomy.

Scientists and researchers at the Array Operations Center contribute to astronomical discoveries through data analysis and telescope coordination programs.

Work at this center requires constant attention to frequencies, equipment status, and weather conditions, as everything is controlled through digital connections. Visitors should expect a focused and technically oriented environment.

The center contains a digital correlator that merges data from multiple telescopes to create observations equivalent to those from a single giant telescope. This technology allows distant instruments to be linked so they function like a cohesive network.