Very Large Array

Tucked away in the Magdalena Mountains outside of Socorro, New Mexico is the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), the famous radio astronomy observatory where astronomers track things like stars or gas clouds, or observe planetary formation and magnetic filaments deep in space. The center, operated by the National Radio Astronomy Org. (NRAO) features twenty-seven radio telescopes (25 meter) spread out in a Y array and mounted on railroad tracks, which allows angular resolution and brightness sensitivity to be adjusted by changes in the radius and density of the array.

The place is open to the public every day until sunset, where you can walk on a self-guided info trail that takes you to one of the dishes, or check out the visitor center. There are occasionally open houses as well, where guides lead the tours and answer questions. Just be sure to turn off all mobile devices when you are there, as the signals can interfere with the antennas.

NRAO/AUI/NSF

Each of the array's Y-shaped arms is 13 miles long, and the antennas weigh 230 tons each. From I-25, take exit 147 or 150 for Socorro, then head west on Hwy 60 for 47 miles. The VLA will be on the left of the road, but you will see it long before you get there. t can even be seen from space!