NRAO Large Array Radio Telescope
NRAO Large Array Radio Telescope
The Large Array Radio Telescope, often referred to as the Very Large Array (VLA), is a remarkable astronomical observatory located in New Mexico, USA. Operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the VLA is one of the world's premier radio telescope facilities.
The VLA consists of 27 large dish antennas, each with a diameter of 25 meters (82 feet), arranged in a Y-shaped configuration across the high desert plains. The antennas can be repositioned and configured in different arrangements to observe radio emissions from celestial objects with exceptional precision and flexibility.
This radio telescope system operates across a wide range of radio frequencies, allowing astronomers to study a variety of cosmic phenomena, including distant galaxies, star-forming regions, pulsars, and quasars. The VLA's ability to capture detailed radio images has contributed significantly to our understanding of the universe.