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Visit NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory has sites and telescopes around the United States and Chile.

The VLA

Socorro, New Mexico is the home of our Very Large Array (VLA), where visitors are welcome and encouraged! The VLA includes a visitor center with a theater, science exhibits, a gift shop, and an outdoor self-guided walking tour that takes you right to the base of one of the telescopes!

Learn about Visiting the VLA!

ALMA

The ALMA telescope is located in northern Chile. The telescopes themselves are not open to the public, due to safety reasons at the location at 5000 meters above sea level. Visits to the Operations Support Facility are permitted on weekends and must be registered in advance.

Learn about Visiting ALMA!

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for our employees, visitors, and guests, and has adopted a Code of Conduct that includes prohibitions against discrimination and harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment.

Learn more at https://go.nrao.edu/conduct/

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. 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 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress 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.