Location:VLA Site, NM |
Creator:Records of the NRAO Series:Photographs Series Unit:VLA Unit Type:Still Image Subject:Instruments--Very Large Array (VLA) |
Description:The NRAO's Very Large Array (VLA) telescope is located on the Plains of San Agustin, about 80 kilometers west of the Array Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico. The VLA is composed of 27 individual antennas arranged in a "Y" pattern. Four times each year, the VLA antennas are moved into new configurations by a transporter that moves along dual sets of railroad tracks. In their closest configuration (about 1 kilometer wide) the VLA is able to image large portions of the sky. In its largest configuration (about 36 kilometers wide) the VLA is able to hone in on the fine details of astronomical objects. [show more]
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