Eric at The Very Large Array
Visitors Center.
We are directed to this low slung
nondescript building.
Bob starts the tour with an
overview of The Very
Large Array & the purpose
of the Radio Telescopes
(Antenna Dishes).
(Antenna Dishes).
These giants rely on staff
at The Very Large Array
to keep them running.
Staff use this work area to repair
& upgrade electrical parts of
the Telescopes.
Astronomers from all over
the world request time on
The Very Large Array
for research projects.
The Very Large Array is funded by the National Science Foundation. Researchers using Telescope Time are not charged. Currently, there are more requests for Telescope Time than hours it is online.
We go upstairs to the
Control Room.
Control Room.
Sylvia is an Array Operator.
She starts assigned jobs on
time & watches numerous
computer screens.
Sylvia tracks the progress of each job; checks on the condition of the antennas gathering data for the job; ends each job on time; and sets up the following job.
Sylvia is one of six Array Operators. They work 363 days a year; getting Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays off.
Eric & I join the tour group outside, on a balcony.
This photo shows one arm of the
three armed Array.
This aerial photo of The Very Large Array is from the
There are four configurations of the Array. The most distant configuration covers 22 miles.
Each Antenna Dish is 82 feet at the widest point and weighs 230 tons. I couldn't find information on the height of one. My guess is at least 60 feet tall.
The combined power of these 27 Radio Telescopes is powerful enough to study space near our Solar System in the Milky Way Galaxy and explore space millions of Light Years away.
Eric, me & one
Radio Telescope
As we get closer, the
Radio Telescope fills
the photo.
The Reflector Dish is well
supported on its base.
A "foot" of the Radio Telescope
It can take a week, or longer to move the Antenna Dishes into a different configuration for requested Telescope Time.
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