We visited the VLA - Very Large Array Telescope Observatory - located on the Plains of San Augustine about 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. This site, operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), consists of 27 antenna, each measuring 82 feet in diameter. The VLA seeks out radio waves generated from planets, stars, and galaxies from the far distances of outer space. The VLA is NOT seeking contact with "little green men" nor do they send out signals telling ET to "phone home".
The scientists rather listen to cosmic radio waves from thousands of light years away almost from the beginning of time, looking for new galaxies, planets, and stars. They seek answers to how the world began, from the 'big bang' theory. The antennas are arrayed along three arms of a Y-shape, each of which measures 13 miles long. Using railroad tracks and a specially designed lifting locomotive, the antenna can be physically relocated to predetermined positions along the arms to widen or narrow the receiving field. A small museum provided a very techincal and scientific explanation of their purpose, and the displays were extremely interesting. The site has been featured in many science fiction films including 2010, Independence Day, and Terminator Salvation. Visit their website at
http://www.nrao.edu for more information.
We visited the VLA - Very Large Array Telescope Observatory - located on the Plains of San Augustine about 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. This site, operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), consists of 27 antenna, each measuring 82 feet in diameter. The VLA seeks out radio waves generated from planets, stars, and galaxies from the far distances of outer space. The VLA is NOT seeking contact with "little green men" nor do they send out signals telling ET to "phone home". 
The scientists rather listen to cosmic radio waves from thousands of light years away almost from the beginning of time, looking for new galaxies, planets, and stars. They seek answers to how the world began, from the 'big bang' theory. The antennas are arrayed along three arms of a Y-shape, each of which measures 13 miles long. Using railroad tracks and a specially designed lifting locomotive, the antenna can be physically relocated to predetermined positions along the arms to widen or narrow the receiving field. A small museum provided a very techincal and scientific explanation of their purpose, and the displays were extremely interesting. The site has been featured in many science fiction films including 2010, Independence Day, and Terminator Salvation. Visit their website at http://www.nrao.edu for more information.
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