Location & Basics
In what U.S. state is the VLA located?
New Mexico
What kind of radiation does the VLA detect?
Radio waves
What kind of star remnant spins rapidly and beams out radio waves?
Pulsar
What gravitational lens effect did the VLA help capture for the first time?
Einstein Ring
What U.S. organization funds the VLA?
National Science Foundation (NSF)
How many antennas make up the VLA?
27
Each antenna is about the size of what?
A house (82 feet across)
What powerful structures shoot matter from black holes?
Jets
What did the VLA image blasting out at nearly light speed?
Black hole jets
Which observatory runs the VLA?
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
How high above sea level is the VLA site?
Almost 7,000 feet
What shape are the antennas arranged in?
A giant Y-shape
What stellar remains does the VLA map after explosions?
Supernova remnants
What did the VLA map in galaxies to understand their evolution?
Hydrogen gas
What nickname is often used to describe the VLA’s role (instead of “eye”)?
A giant ear
Why was the Plains of San Agustin chosen for the VLA?
Dry, high, isolated, away from human radio interference
What is interferometry?
Combining signals from all antennas to act as one huge telescope
What faint gas does the VLA detect to map galaxies?
Hydrogen gas
What mysterious flashes from deep space has the VLA been key in studying?
Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
What next-generation telescope is being planned to follow the VLA?
ngVLA (Next Generation VLA)
What town is about 50 miles east of the VLA?
Socorro
How wide can the array spread in its largest configuration?
22 miles
What super-bright, distant objects powered by black holes does the VLA study?
Quasars
How many years has the VLA been making discoveries?
Over 40 years
The VLA was featured in what 1997 science fiction movie?
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