Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array
Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, Radio telescope observatory in Socorro County, United States
Description
The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array is a radio telescope facility in Socorro County, New Mexico, where white dish antennas sit spread across the Plains of San Agustin. The arrangement forms a Y pattern with three arms reaching across several kilometers of flat desert terrain.
History
The facility began as a National Radio Astronomy Observatory project in the mid-1970s and grew over several years. After completion in the early 1980s, it was later named for Karl Guthe Jansky, a pioneer of radio astronomy.
Culture
Scientists at the facility conduct research on black holes, galaxy formations, pulsars, and contribute to the extensive NRAO VLA Sky Survey project.
Practical
A visitor center provides information about radio astronomy and allows self-guided walks around the grounds. The site sits far from towns in the high desert of New Mexico, where clear weather and low light interference support observations.
Did you know?
Each antenna travels on railway tracks and can be repositioned for different research projects. This mobility lets the facility adapt to changing observation tasks without building new equipment.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Socorro County).
Sites dedicated to space research and UFO phenomena include scientific facilities and historic places where humans try to understand the universe and explore the question of extraterrestrial life. These sites include radio telescopes that listen to signals from space, space launch centers, labs...
New Mexico combines geological formations with historical sites spanning multiple periods. The region includes cave systems such as Carlsbad Caverns, extensive gypsum fields at White Sands, volcanic landscapes at El Malpais National Monument, and unusual rock formations in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin...
Very Long Baseline Array
54 m
Magdalena Ridge Observatory
41.5 km
South Baldy
40.8 km
Withington Wilderness
25.1 kmWest Blue Mountain
48.8 km
Gutierrez House
35.2 km
Hall Hotel
34.9 km
Aragon House
34.5 km
Hilton House
35.7 kmClemens Ranchhouse
35.8 km
Bank of Magdalena
34.8 km
MacTavish House
34.7 km
Lewellen House
35.2 km
Ilfeld Warehouse
34.7 km
Shiva:Shiwana
615 mNorth Lake
19.1 kmHorse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
48.4 kmBear Peak
36 km
Bracewell Radio Sundial
699 mFOAH Observatory
36 kmSalida observatory
41 kmChurch Rocks
17.7 kmDobson House Historic Site
34.7 kmClemens Ranch House Historic Site
38 kmClemens Ranch House
38 kmCharles Ilfield Company Warehouse
34.7 kmOld Jail House
34.7 kmWaterfall
27 km
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes