An aerial view of the Very Large Array shows its wye formation on the plains of San Agustin in New Mexico. At over 7,000-feet elevation, this ancient lakebed provides the space needed to lay 40 miles of double-track rails required to extend the VLA’s Y-shape to give us its highest resolution capability.
Snowy Peaks Behind the VLA
Snow caps the mountain ranges that surround the Plains of San Agustin where the Very Large Array sits in central New Mexico.
Snowy Day at the VLA
The Very Large Array, in its most compact configuration, appears to huddle after a snowfall. In this position, any more snow that falls will glance off of the 25-meter dishes and not collect there to form ice and cause damage.
A Piece of the Wye
In this aerial shot over the Very Large Array in New Mexico, nearly the entire array is in view. In this most compact configuration, the Y-shape of the VLA’s tracks is easily seen. We refer to it as the “Wye.”
Roller bearings of a VLA telescope
These roller bearings sit inside the spin gear of every antenna in the Very Large Array (VLA). They support the giant dish and allow it to spin around, but over time, they seize up from flattening or lack of grease. They are replaced or greased while the antenna is split in half inside the Antenna Assembly Building.
Double Rainbow over the VLA
The Very Large Array may sit in the New Mexico desert, but it’s not always dry. Summer monsoons bring much-needed rains, and this lovely afternoon also brought a double rainbow.