The Very Large Array of Radio Telescopes
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A collection of radio telescopes...
The Very Large Array is a collection of 27 individual radio telescopes which are used together, creating a larger and more sensitive instrument. These radio telescopes collect data about our universe.
The VLA was portrayed in the movie Contact based on a story by Carl Sagan and starring Jodie Foster. Although it was shown in a movie about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, SETI does not use the VLA.
A Single Radio Telescope
There are 28 identical instruments which make up the Very Large Array
Although the array consists of 27 individual radio telescopes, there are 28 identical instruments at the VLA facility. The extra one allows them to cycle each and every instrument out for maintenance, which is done on a regular schedule.The instrument consists of an 82 foot diameter dish which focuses the radio energy at a concentrator. The radio waves are then sent into a collector.
The dish is held up by a base with pivot points in two directions and the ability to rotate a full 360 degrees. The base sits upon concrete pilings which support the 230 ton telescope while it is in use.
Underneath each dish is a short section of railroad track. A customized rail car is used to move the telescopes around between the various mounting points on the site. The configuration of the instruments changes every four months.
Contact
This story by Carl Sagan was turned into a movie starring Jodie Foster
Foster's character, Elanor Arroway, is based on the real-life scientist, Jill Tarter. Dr. Tarter is a principle investigator at the Allen Telescope Array which does nothing except for SETI research!
Contact (Snap Case)
Amazon Price: $3.87 (as of 02/18/2012)
The film is a reasonably accurate adaptation of the Sagan novel by the same name. The characters are a blend of those from Sagan's novel, and of the scientists actively engaged in SETI research at the time of the film's production.
Take a Tour of the Very Large Array
How to visit the Very Large Array and what you'll see there
There are two days per year that the Very Large Array has an Open House event. These events are timed to complement a tour through the Trinity Site. Driving from the Trinity Site to the VLA takes about 2 hours.The guided tour groups are lead around by VLA employees. These tours include a visit to the control room.
Much of what there is to see at the VLA happens outside, though. The walking tour can by done any day of the year between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, and the gift shop is open most of these days.
We didn't see any snakes the day we were there, though.
Get a complete guided tour of the Very Large Array facility
Countdown to VLA Fall 2010 Open House
VLA Control Room
All 27 telescopes are controlled from a central location
The computer control program shows a graphical display of the entire array.It is possible to program sub-arrays within the VLA, so sometimes a few of the telescopes on each arm are pointing in a different direction than the majority of the rest of the telescopes.
Treasure from the Gift Shop
Made by a local native woman, this is one awesome tie-dye!
I was thrilled to find tie-dye shirts in the gift shop at the Very Large Array, and in 'my' colors! My father-in-law laughs every time he sees this shirt, as he says it's quite a juxtaposition of cultures.I also picked up a more mundane shirt at the VLA. It's a long-sleeved shirt, where down each sleeve, and down the center of the front of the shirt, is a row of radio telescopes. The center of the shirt is labeled 'North Arm' and the left and right arms are labeled 'West Arm' and 'East Arm', respectively.
Read about the discoveries of the VLA
Radio Telescope Stuff
Images of radio telescopes and images from radio telescopes
Where Are They? Dark T-Shirt
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Radio Telescope Large Mug
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The VLA Visit Poll!
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