The VLA
The VLA

The Backs of the VLA Dishes

The Very Large Array antennas dip in formation to observe a target in the southwest sky. Radio telescopes can observe day or night.

Aerial shot of the VLA

Flying Over the VLA Wye

Looking like toys, the Very Large Array fits into this aerial shot taken over the Plains of San Agustin in New Mexico.

The VLA

The VLA Wye

The center of the Y-shaped Very Large Array in central New Mexico as seen from the air. Each of these antennas is 25 meters across and weighs 230 tons.

Aerial shot of the entire VLA site

Aerial Over the VLA Site

In this aerial shot, every major facility of the Very Large Array is in view. The Y-shaped array is at top, with its 27 antennas. To its right is the large Control Building and smaller Visitor Center near the road. In the foreground is the giant Antenna Assembly Building with two Antenna Transporters to the left. And in the middle are the maintenance and testing buildings.

VLA antennas and the Control Building

VLA Dwarfs Its Control Building

At around 94 feet high, the antennas of the Very Large Array in central New Mexico appear to dwarf their Control Building. The old astronomer dormitories sit at far right. They have since been demolished.