There are probably a myriad of reasons I’ve been infatuated with the Very Large Array in New Mexico. I finally was able to visit the VLA on my westward journey on U.S. Highway 60 from Socorro, New Mexico.
Simply put, the VLA is an array of 27 radio telescopes which are all connected together to emulate a huge radio telescope that is up to 22 miles in diameter.
I first became acquainted with the VLA in the movie “Contact” where it is used to receive extra terrestrial communications. (For other pop culture references, click here.) In real life, it doesn’t do that. Instead, it receives signals that optical telescopes can’t see. The scientists don’t “listen” to the VLA, the VLA creates images.
I stopped into the deserted visitor center on a cold but clear Saturday morning. After chatting with the woman staffing the post and looking at the exhibits, I went on the self-guided walking tour of the facility.
