How to Get Here
The VLA is located 50 miles west of Socorro on U.S. Highway 60. From
U.S. 60, turn South on NM 52, then West on the VLA access road, which is
well marked. Signs will point you to the Visitor Center.
What You Will See
The Visitor Center is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. As
you enter, a sign will point you toward the theater, a good place to
begin your tour. The 9-minute video presentation was produced in
2002. It provides an understandable overview of radio astronomy,
interferometry, and the VLA itself. You will then want to explore our
exhibits, to learn more about radio astronomy and the role the Very
Large Array and other NRAO telescopes play in current research. A
5-minute silent video will show you how we move antennas. Another
video slide show describes the Very Long Baseline Array and how it
works. A Small Radio Telescope located just outside the back window
tracks the Sun and produces a crude image.
Near
the back door you will find a brochure to guide you in the walking
tour that will take you past our Whisper Gallery to the base of one of the 230-ton antennas.
From there you will climb up to the
observation deck for a view of the array itself, as well as a look at
the new prototype antenna we are testing for the ALMA project. The walk returns
you to the Visitor Center where you are welcome to pick up an order form
for merchandise, or you can purchase your souvenirs
from home!
We suggest you make a right-hand turn as
you leave the parking lot and head for the tall building, following
the AAB (Antenna Assembly Building) Tour signs. As you cross the
railroad track there is a parking lot on your left. From there you
can view our 28th antenna that is undergoing routine maintenance. You
will also (most of the time!) get to see one of the transporters that
is used to move the antennas.
You are welcome to take photographs of everything you see, but
PLEASE KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE TURNED OFF! (It interferes with our observing)
Guided Tours
Once each quarter we offer guided tours to the general public. Click here for the date of the next
scheduled tour. During
the summer, our summer students provide tours on weekend. The tours
are free and no reservations are needed.
For educational
groups, we provide tour guides (if available!) from among staff members
who volunteer for this duty.
We need at least two weeks' notice to arrange a guided tour. If you're thinking about arranging an educational tour, look at our
information
on bringing your class to the VLA. Then give our Education and
Public Outreach office a call at (505) 835-7243 to schedule the tour.
Facilities, Food, Weather, Etc.
The Visitor Center has restrooms, water fountains and a soft-drink
machine. No food is available at the VLA site. The nearest restaurants
are in Magdalena,
about 25 miles to the east, and Datil, about 20 miles to the west.
Many restaurants, as well as lodging, are available
in Socorro, an hour's drive from the
VLA. Lodging also is available in
Magdalena. There are two picnic tables located near the Whisper Gallery
and several roadside tables along Highway 60 east of the array. If you are
picnicking in your RV, please don't use your microwave oven as it
interferes with our observing. Camping is
available at the Datil Well BLM campground in Datil and the Water Canyon
campground between Magdalena and Socorro.
The VLA is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. At this elevation, the weather
can be considerably colder than that at lower elevations. Snow is possible
at the VLA from September through May. Check weather reports before your
trip. During Fall, Winter and Spring, jackets or coats usually are needed,
and warm hats and gloves are advisable during the colder periods.
Can't make it to New Mexico?
Take a virtual tour of the Very Large Array, courtesy of students from
Socorro High
School.
While in the Southwest, you may want to visit some other
astronomical observatories. For information about observatories in
this region, check out the Web page of the Southwestern
Consortium of Observatories for Public Education (SCOPE)
For more information: