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Astronomy: Very Large Array radio observatory
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The Very Large Array, one of the world's most sophisticated astronomical radio observatories, consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin 80 km (50 miles) west of Socorro in the United States. Each of the 27 antenna's is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of an antenna 36 km (22 miles) across, with the sensitivity of a dish 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter. Construction on the VLA started in 1973 and it was completed in 1980. The facility became more known to the public when in 1997 the Warner Bros. film 'Contact' was made and had many scenes at the VLA site. Jodie Foster, star in the film, used the VLA antennas to contact another race in the Universe. Related subject>> Official Very Large Array internetsite |
 The 27 antenna's of the Very Large Array observatory can be outlined by the Y-shaped rail track < JPG-image 600 X 390 pixels > |
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