Very Large Array

State: New Mexico. Type: radio astronomy observatory (28 radio telescope antennas, 27 active) in Socorro County, on the Plains of San Agustin. Operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) for the National Science Foundation, managed by Associated Universities, Inc. Construction approved by Congress in 1972; first antenna installed September 1975; formally dedicated 1980. Elevation approximately 7,000 feet.

The Very Large Array is a radio astronomy observatory made up of 28 dish antennas, each 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter, arranged in a distinctive Y-shaped configuration on the high desert Plains of San Agustin west of Socorro. Congress approved its construction in 1972, and the array was formally dedicated in 1980 after roughly $78.5 million in investment (about $250 million in 2024 dollars); it has operated continuously since, run by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for the National Science Foundation. The array's Y-shaped arms, each extending up to 21 kilometers, can be physically repositioned along rail tracks to change the effective resolution of the combined telescope, letting astronomers study everything from black holes to distant galaxies. The VLA gained mainstream recognition as a filming location for the 1997 movie Contact, based on Carl Sagan's novel, and remains open to visitors via a self-guided walking tour among the antenna bases. An upgrade program known as ngVLA, planned to begin construction in the late 2020s, will eventually replace the current antennas with a larger array of over 260 new dishes.

The VLA sits in Socorro County, New Mexico, on the Plains of San Agustin between the small communities of Magdalena and Datil, about 50 miles west of Socorro and roughly a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, at an elevation of about 7,000 feet.

The high desert plains setting sees summer daytime temperatures generally between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with a July-August monsoon season bringing frequent afternoon thunderstorms and lightning; winters bring lows around 15 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional snow and ice that can affect road conditions and closures.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable temperatures for the outdoor, half-mile self-guided walking tour, avoiding both summer monsoon lightning risk and winter cold or possible ice closures; check current conditions before a winter visit given the site's high, exposed setting.

Congress approved funding for the Very Large Array in August 1972, and construction began the following year on the Plains of San Agustin, a site chosen for its high elevation and isolation from radio interference. The first antenna was installed in September 1975, the array made its first interferometric observation in February 1976, and the facility was formally dedicated in 1980 after a total investment of about $78.5 million. Since then, the VLA has been a workhorse of radio astronomy research and gained wide public recognition through its appearance in the 1997 film Contact, adapted from Carl Sagan's novel. The observatory's antennas can be moved along rail lines to reconfigure the array's resolution, and NRAO's Pete V. Domenici Science Operations Center in nearby Socorro supports the facility's operations. A planned upgrade, the ngVLA, is expected to begin construction in the late 2020s and would eventually replace the current 28 dishes with a much larger next-generation array.

The main visitor activity is the self-guided outdoor walking tour, roughly half a mile long, that leads past informational signage to the base of several antennas; part of the path is paved and wheelchair/walker accessible. Guided tours run on a limited schedule (historically Saturdays at set times) when staff are available, and NRAO periodically hosts larger public Open House events with expanded access and programming.

The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array's antenna field itself, viewable up close along the walking tour, is the main attraction; the visitor center at the site provides exhibits and orientation before heading out to the antenna bases.

The VLA is reached by car, about a two-hour drive from Albuquerque and roughly 50 miles west of Socorro via U.S. Highway 60; there is no public transit or commercial airport near the site, so a personal or rental vehicle is required.

The VLA is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, per the observatory's official visitor information.

Per the observatory's official visitor information, general admission is $10 for adults (ages 13-64), $8 for seniors (65+), military and veterans, and free for children 12 and under.

Most visitors spend one to two hours on the self-guided walking tour and visitor center exhibits; longer if joining a guided tour or a special Open House event.

There is no lodging at the observatory itself; Socorro, about 50 miles east, offers the nearest concentration of motels and small hotels, while a wider range of accommodation is available back in Albuquerque, roughly a two-hour drive away.

No food is available on-site, and the observatory advises visitors to bring their own provisions; the nearest dining options are in the small communities of Magdalena and Datil along US-60, with a fuller range of restaurants back in Socorro or Albuquerque.

The small towns of Magdalena and Datil, both along US-60 near the observatory, offer modest local services; Socorro, about 50 miles east, is the closest larger town and a common base for visitors combining the VLA with wider central New Mexico travel.

There is no airport or transit near the site; Albuquerque International Sunport, about a two-hour drive away, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, and a personal or rental car is required for the trip out via US-60.

Summer afternoons in July and August bring monsoon thunderstorms with lightning risk on the exposed, open antenna field, so plan visits earlier in the day and heed posted weather guidance; winter visits should account for possible snow or ice affecting the access road.

Water and snacks, since no food is sold on-site; sun protection for the exposed walking tour, and warm layers in winter given the elevation and open terrain. A camera is popular for photographing the antennas.

Check the observatory's calendar before visiting if you want a guided tour, since these run on a limited schedule; the self-guided walking tour is available whenever the site is open. Plan to bring your own food and fuel up before leaving Socorro or Magdalena, since there are no services on-site. Visiting earlier in the day during summer helps avoid monsoon-season afternoon thunderstorms.

For any emergency, dial 911. For visitor questions, contact the VLA at 575-835-7041 or visitVLA@nrao.edu.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory - Visit the Very Large Array - https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.