VLA – Very Large Array Radio Telescope

The Karl G. 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 west of Socorro. The VLA comprises twenty-eight 25-meter radio telescopes (27 of which are operational while one is always rotating through maintenance) deployed in a Y-shaped array and all the equipment, instrumentation, and computing power to function as an interferometer. Each of the massive telescopes is mounted on double parallel railroad tracks, so the radius and density of the array can be transformed to adjust the balance between its angular resolution and its surface brightness sensitivity. Astronomers using the VLA have made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young stars, discovered magnetic filaments and traced complex gas motions at the Milky Way’s center, probed the Universe’s cosmological parameters, and provided new knowledge about the physical mechanisms that produce radio emission.

 

What to Photograph

By taking the walking tour you can photograph many of the antennas sprawled across the New Mexico desert.  You can also get some great shots from the road coming to the site.

Photography and Filming

Visitors to the VLA may photograph what they see from the designated self-guided walking tour. However, any filming or photography done by a commercial or professional entity, or that is done by anyone, amateur or professional, from areas not authorized for general-public tourists or outside the hours authorized for general-public tourists, is considered to be “commercial.” Such photography must be approved in advance, and requires completing an application process, coordinating with NRAO staff, and payment of fees.

There are no exceptions. Any nighttime photography or any photography from anywhere other than the designated walking-tour path requires going through the advance-approval process and paying all fees. This applies to everyone, amateur and professional alike.

Where it is:

The Very Large Array Radio Telescope is a two hour drive from Albuquerque, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico.

When driving west from Socorro:

1. Travel through the small town of Magdalena and continue on US-60.
2. Turn left onto NM-52 just west of mile marker 93.
3. Drive 2.5 miles then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60).
4. Drive 1.6 miles and the VLA Visitor Center will be on your right.

When driving east from the Arizona border on US-60:

1. Drive through the town of Datil. Just past mile marker 90 you will cross rail road tracks that mark the North arm of the array.
2. Continue east on US-60 past mile marker 92 and turn right onto NM-52.
3. Drive 2.5 miles and then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60).
4. Drive 1.6 miles and the VLA Visitor Center will be on your right.

 

The Plains of San Agustin
Hwy 60
Magdalena, NM 87825
Please note that the VLA does not have a physical address. If using a GPS to reach the VLA, enter these coordinates:
34 04’43.497N, 107 37’05.819W

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

VLA Walking Tour Map

 

GPS:

34 04’43.497N, 107 37’05.819W

 

Hours:

Cost:

Admission

Adults: $6.00
Seniors (65+): $5.00
Ages 17 and under are always FREE
Socorro & Catron County Resident bringing a paying guest is free.

Facilities:

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is open every day from 8:30am until sunset. Upon arrival, please check in at the Gift Shop to pay admission and receive your informational brochure. You are free to explore our exhibits, where you will learn more about radio astronomy and the role the Very Large Array and other NRAO telescopes play in current research. You can also view several short videos that explain more about what happens at the VLA and how it works. A 5-minute silent video will show you how we move antennas. In the auditorium is a 23-minute documentary, produced in 2013 and narrated by Jodie Foster. The documentary is an overview of radio astronomy, interferometry, and the VLA itself.

There are public restrooms at the visitor center,  there is no food available.

VLA Electronic Device Policy

When visiting the VLA, please have all electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, or anything else with an “On/Off” switch) in airplane mode and powered off. If you plan to use your electronic device to take photographs, you may briefly turn them on (while in airplane mode) to take your pictures, and then power your device off again once you’ve done so.

Please turn all WiFi and Bluetooth devices off as well.

Location Contact Information:

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VLA – Very Large Array Radio Telescope Photo Gallery

Click Here for full page gallery

 

More Photographic Destinations in New Mexico:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State 

gdisch On December 19, 2019   /   New Mexico   /   Leave a comment