Socorro, New Mexico - The Very Large Array

Students and high school teachers doing summer research at the Very Large Array volunteer to provide guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays. They will gladly share with you the research topics they work on. No reservation is needed, but check the VLA website [www.vla.nrao.edu/genpub/tours/] for the actual tour schedule. Turn off your cell phone before going to the VLA. There is no cellular network within tens of miles anyway, and your active cell phone will interfere with the 24/7 data collection. [Gene Shiau, 06/29/2005]

The Very Large Array (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) is located about 50 miles west of Socorro on Hwy 60. There is a visitors center with exhibits and a self guided walking tour that lets you get close to one of the radio antennas. These things are massive. If you are lucky you might catch them while they are all moving at once. It's like being in the movie Contact. [S. Winston, 05/28/1999]