National Radio Astronomy Observatory

RADIO ASTRONOMY IS:

Revealing the Invisible Universe

Radio astronomy is the study of celestial objects that give off radio waves. With radio astronomy, we study astronomical phenomena that can be invisible.

Learn more about radio astronomy!

RADIO ASTRONOMY IS:

In the News!

Our cutting-edge telescopes are used to make new discoveries every day.

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

Artist's conception of two supermassive black holes in galaxy Cygnus A.

VLA Reveals New Object Near Supermassive Black Hole in Famous Galaxy

May 23, 2017 | News Release

Astronomers were surprised when the VLA revealed that a bright new object has appeared near the core of a famous galaxy. They think it’s a second supermassive black hole, indicating that the galaxy has merged with another in the past.

ALMA Eyes Icy Ring around Young Planetary System

May 18, 2017 | News Release

ALMA has made the first complete millimeter-wavelength image of the ring of dusty debris surrounding the young star Fomalhaut.

Multiwavelength image of the Crab Nebula.

IMAGE RELEASE: A New Look at the Crab Nebula

May 10, 2017 | News Release

Astronomers produced a dramatic new image of the famous Crab Nebula by combining data from five different telescopes spanning the breadth of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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NRAO Telescopes

Very Large Array

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

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

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

Learn About All NRAO's Telescopes

Image of the Week:

ALMA First Image

In this composite image of the merging cores of the Antennae Galaxies, optical (white and pink), radio (blue) and millimeter/submillimeter (orange and gold) overlay to show us the history and future of star formation. The optical image shows stars that are shining now. The radio shows gas that is probably too thin to become stars. And the mm/submm shows all the places where new stars will someday form.

Special Features

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!

NRAO Mission Control

Want to know what we're studying right this minute? NRAO's Mission Control shows the entire sky surrounding the earth, with color-coded targets marking where each telescope is pointing right now.

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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.