Looking down the north arm of the Y-shaped Very Large Array in New Mexico.
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.
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 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 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 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.