Photo – Page 50 – National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Shelf of Spares

These shelves hold the original spare modules for the antennas of the Very Large Array. The VLA’s science observing program is critical, so if a component of the antenna electronics went bad, it could be swapped out for one of these right away with minimal down time.

VLA from a Distance

The Very Large Array sits on the Plains of San Agustin in New Mexico at an elevation of over 7,000 feet. Its 27 25-meter dish antennas can be seen for miles across the desert.

A VLA Antenna Without Its Surface

The Antenna Assembly Building got its name for being the birthplace of the antennas of the Very Large Array. In this photo from 1979, a VLA antenna Backup Structure has been placed on a yoke and base, but it has not yet received its 25-meter dish.

North Arm of the VLA Wye

A summer view along the north arm of the Very Large Array’s Y-shaped alignment.

Dishless Antenna at the VLA

During construction in the 1970s, one of the first antenna bases of the Very Large Array sits without a dish in the Antenna Assembly Building.

Antenna Assembly at the VLA

The 28 antennas of the Very Large Array were assembled inside a large building in the middle of the New Mexico desert. In this photo, the base with its azimuth gear are in place, but the altitude gear has not been attached. It is the toothy ring sitting on the floor in the back.

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.