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

Heart of an Exploded Star Observed in 3-D

July 10, 2017 | News Release

Deep inside the remains of an exploded star lies a twisted knot of newly minted molecules and dust. Using ALMA, astronomers mapped the location of these new molecules to create a high-resolution 3-D image of this “dust factory,” providing new insights into the relationship between a young supernova remnant and its galaxy.

ALMA Selects New Director

July 8, 2017 | Announcement

The ALMA Board selects Dr. Sean Dougherty as the new ALMA Director for a 5-year term beginning April 2018.

2017 Jansky Lectureship Awarded to South African Astronomer Bernie Fanaroff

June 29, 2017 | News Release

Radio astronomer Bernie Fanaroff Adds 52nd Jansky Lectureship Award to his prominent list of accomplishments.

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:

Powerful Jets of Young Stars

Inside a gigantic cloud of dark molecules and gas is a pair of young stars known as HH46/47. One of these stars is going through a normal but violent phase where its magnetic poles act like railways to channel charged particles away from the star. ALMA observed tons of molecules traveling out of this star along these jets at superfast speeds. These outflows eventually distort and help clear away the cloud from around the star. In this false-color image from ALMA, blue shows jet material heading toward us and red marks the jet particles speeding in the opposite direction.

Special Features

Cosmic Coloring

Color different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum using multiwavelength images from space.

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.