National Radio Astronomy Observatory - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

RADIO ASTRONOMY IS:

Revealing the Invisible Universe

Radio waves are simply another band -- or range of color -- of light. While stars shine most brightly at optical wavelengths, they also shine across the spectrum, including radio waves. Other objects, like star-forming clouds, emit little to any visible light, though they shine brightly in radio light.

Learn more about Radio Astronomy

RADIO ASTRONOMY IS:

In the News!

Our cutting-edge telescopes are used to make new, radio discoveries every day, by penetrating through the dust and clouds of galaxies that obscures visible light.

Find the latest discoveries here.

RADIO ASTRONOMY IS:

Exploration

Interactively learn about our Universe, our telescopes, and the people who make it all possible.

Start Exploring Now!

Radio Astronomy in the News

Breakthrough in Detection Technology at Axion Dark Matter Experiment

April 9, 2018 at 12:00 pm | Announcement

NRAO/CDL technology part of the hunt for the dark matter particle at the Axion Dark Matter Experiment.

2018 Jansky Fellowships Awarded

March 8, 2018 at 10:00 am | Announcement

NRAO is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Jansky Fellowships.

Image Release: ALMA Reveals Inner Web of Stellar Nursery

March 7, 2018 at 6:00 am | News Feature

New data from ALMA and other telescopes reveal stunning web of filaments in the Orion Nebula.

See All Latest News

NRAO Telescopes

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in the Atacama Desert, Chile, is the most complex observatory ever built.

Very Large Array

The VLA is the most advanced radio telescope array on Earth, a customizable interferometer that spans up to 22 miles across.

Learn About All NRAO's Telescopes

Image of the Week:

Inside the Atacama Array

ALMA is composed of 66 high-precision antennas. Fifty of these antennas are 12m antennas used for sensitive, high-resolution imaging. Shown here are several of the North American 12m antennas and towards the left is a Japanese 12m. These fifty 12m antennas are complemented by the Atacama Compact Array (ACA), also known as the Morita Array, composed of twelve closely spaced 7m antennas and four 12m antennas.

Special Features

Cosmic Coloring Compositor

Color different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum using multiwavelength images from space. Create your own background for your favorite device.

Milky Way Explorer

Check out our Milky Way Explorer, a guided trip through our spiral Galaxy and its neighborhood. You choose where to explore, and a radio astronomer talks to you about each stop.

Role Models

Hear from folks who work at NRAO about the many paths we've taken to get here. You don’t have to be a scientist or engineer to be part of our exciting mission!

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progess of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.