Visiting Very Large Array (VLA) New Mexico

March 21, 2019

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?

One of the 27 dish antennas that make up the VLA
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

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.

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 :)

Looking for things to do in New Mexico? Take a look at our New Mexico articles.

VLA Pictures

Rio Salado Sand Dunes rest area on the way to VLA
Rio Salado Sand Dunes rest area on the way to VLA
This rest area had cute picnic areas
This rest area had cute picnic areas
Roadside picnic tables on the way to the VLA
Roadside picnic tables on the way to the VLA
Each one of the 27 dish antennas can be moved via transporters
Each one of the 27 dish antennas can be moved via transporters
Us & a dish
Us & a dish
You can see the other dish antennas in the background
You can see the other dish antennas in the background
As we walked up this dish moved
As we walked up this dish moved
It’s huge!
It’s huge!
Part of the movie Contact was filmed at VLA
Part of the movie Contact was filmed at VLA
Waiting for dinner
Waiting for dinner
They are so soft!
They are so soft!
Running into the barn
Running into the barn
Male Alpacas
Male Alpacas
Female and young Alpacas
Female and young Alpacas
One of the alpha males
One of the alpha males
Goats to keep the weeds under control
Goats to keep the weeds under control