Very Large Array – Open House, Fall 2026
October 10 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm MDT
Free
VLA Open House: Celebrating 70 Years of NRAO
Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, 50 miles west of Socorro, NM Old Hwy 60, Magdalena, NM 87825
Cost: Free — advance timed-entry tickets required
Join the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for a special open house marking 70 years since NRAO’s founding in 1956. Explore the iconic Very Large Array — 27 radio dishes made famous in Contact — through guided tours, expert talks, and hands-on activities for all ages.
What to expect:
- Guided tours led by NRAO scientists and engineers, departing every half hour
- Talks tracing seven decades of discovery, from NRAO’s earliest telescopes to today’s Very Large Array and the next-generation VLA (ngVLA) prototype
- A look at what’s next for radio astronomy as NRAO builds toward its next 70 years
- Family-friendly activities, hands-on science demos, and a look inside the control room
- Local food trucks on site
- Gift shop open all day
Good to know:
- Elevation is around 7,000 ft — dress for variable weather, and bring sun protection
- Advance tickets are required to manage parking; reserve here
- Portable restrooms available on-site