The Very Large Array (VLA) is a radio astronomy observatory located on the Plains of San Augustin, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, some fifty miles (80 km) west of Socorro, New Mexico, USA. U.S. Route 60 passes through the complex.The VLA stands at an altitude of 6970 ft (2124 m) above sea level. It is a component of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). Characteristics The observatory consists of 27 independent radio antennae, each of which has a dish diameter of 25 meters (82 feet) and weighs 209 metric tonnes (230 Short tons).The antennas are arrayed along the three arms of a Y-shape (each of which measures 21 km/13 miles long). Using the railroad tracks that follow each of these arms – and that, at one point, intersect with U.S. Route 60 at a level crossing – and a specially designed lifting locomotive, the antennas can be physically relocated to a number of prepared position

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # TAGS