Glossary of Radio Astronomy Terms

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Glossary of Radio Astronomy Terms

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Vernal Equinox:

The spring equinox that occurs on March 20

Very Large Array:

The Very Large Array is a customizable interferometer that varies between 2/3 of a mile to 22 miles long depending on the time of year. It is considered to be one of the most advanced radio telescope arrays on Earth with 28 antennas in Socorro, New Mexico.

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Variable Star:

A star whose brightness varies with time.

Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA):

An array of 10, 25 meter radio telescopes that stretches 8000km (5,000 miles) across North America.

Visible Light:

The wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that are visible to the naked eye.

Visible spectrum:

The range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible by the human eye.

Visual binary:

A binary system visible to the human eye through a telescope

Visual magnitude:

The apparent magnitude of a celestial object in the color region where the human eye is most sensitive.

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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.
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