VLA (Very Large Array)
The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) is a radio astronomy observatory located some fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico, USA. The VLA is a multi-purpose instrument designed to allow investigations of many astronomical objects, including radio galaxies, quasars, pulsars, gamma ray bursts, radio-emitting stars, the sun and planets and black holes.
The observatory consists of 27 independent antennas, each of which has a dish diameter of 82 feet and weighs 230 tons. The antennas are arrayed along the three arms of a Y-shape with each arm measuring 13 miles long. Using the rail tracks that follow each of these arms the antennas can be physically relocated to a number of prepared positions, allowing aperture synthesis interferometry with a maximum baseline of 22 mi: in essence, the array acts as a single antenna with that diameter. By moving the antennas closer together or father apart on the tracks lets the entire array act similar to a 'zoom lens' with each position offering a different sensitivity.
Read MoreThe observatory consists of 27 independent antennas, each of which has a dish diameter of 82 feet and weighs 230 tons. The antennas are arrayed along the three arms of a Y-shape with each arm measuring 13 miles long. Using the rail tracks that follow each of these arms the antennas can be physically relocated to a number of prepared positions, allowing aperture synthesis interferometry with a maximum baseline of 22 mi: in essence, the array acts as a single antenna with that diameter. By moving the antennas closer together or father apart on the tracks lets the entire array act similar to a 'zoom lens' with each position offering a different sensitivity.
