Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, Radio telescope observatory in Socorro County, United States
Twenty-seven radio antennas, each measuring 25 meters in diameter, form a Y-shaped configuration across the Plains of San Agustin in New Mexico.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory began construction in 1972 and completed the installation of all antennas by 1980, with a total cost of 78.5 million dollars.
Scientists at the facility conduct research on black holes, galaxy formations, pulsars, and contribute to the extensive NRAO VLA Sky Survey project.
The visitor center includes exhibits about radio astronomy, a theater presentation, and a gift shop, with self-guided walking tours available throughout the year.
The array's antennas move along railroad tracks spanning 21 kilometers, allowing scientists to adjust configurations for different types of astronomical observations.
Location: Socorro County
Inception: 1980
Elevation above the sea: 2,124 m
Diameter: 11,100 m
Operator: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Part of: NRAO VLA Sky Survey
Website: https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/vla
GPS coordinates: 34.07875,-107.61773
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:19
Research facilities, observatories, and historical sites connected to space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. These locations include radio telescopes, space centers, museums with space artifacts, and sites of documented UFO encounters.
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