Visiting Very Large Array (VLA) New Mexico
After leaving Glorieta, we headed to the VLA. What is the VLA? The Very Large Array is 27 dish antennas all working together as a single telescope to make detailed astronomical images by collecting and processing radio waves. This is definitely something worth seeing in person but if you cannot I recommend checking out the VLA Webcam and Virtual Tour. Don’t have time to read this now? Pin it for later!
One of the 27 dish antennas that make up the VLA
VLA
These disk antennas are HUGE! Each one is 82 feet in diameter and weighs 230 tons. They all send data to a central supercomputer where the data is combined to give the resolution of an antenna 22 miles across, with the sensitivity of a dish 422 feet in diameter. Wow! I knew nothing about the VLA before this visit and I left impressed. I recommend a visit to the VLA and suggest visiting on the first or third Saturday to take the guided tour which takes you behind-the-scenes.
Want to learn more about the VLA?
VLA Webcam: https://public.nrao.edu/vla-webcam/
VLA Virtual Tours: https://public.nrao.edu/explore/vla-explorer
VLA Film: https://public.nrao.edu/gallery/beyond-the-visible-vla
Radio Astronomy Gallery: https://public.nrao.edu/gallery
Rates
Adults: $6.00
Seniors (65+): $5.00
Ages 17 and under are always FREE
Our AAA card got us a discount.
Tours
There are two tour options: the walking tour and the guided tour. We did the walking tour as that was the only option the day we visited the VLA. The self-guided walking tour takes you to the base of one of the antennas. As we walked up the antenna it started to move. It was very cool to watch this huge object move.
Was it worth it?
Both of us gave the VLA a thumbs up. These antenna’s are huge and must be seen in person to appreciate. Admission is $6/ea or $5/ea with AAA which I felt was more than fair given the experience.
Guided Tour
On the first and third Saturday of each month the VLA offers guided tours at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. No reservations are required. Show up 30 minutes before the tour time. The guided tours last 50 minutes and take you to areas behind-the-scenes at the VLA.
One thing to keep in mind when planning your visit is that severe weather may force the VLA to close unexpectedly. Check the VLA website for more information.
Alpaca Farm
After the VLA we headed to an Alpaca farm for the night. This Alpaca farm was another Harvest Hosts. I had never seen an Alpaca before and I was surprised by two things. One they are shorter than I expected and two they are SUPER soft. I knew they would be soft but I did not expect their fur to be that soft and thick! They were also pretty friendly and let us pet them but ran off after a few seconds. It might have been because it was dinner time :)
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