2006-02-24 Very Large Array 023

Very Large Array radio telescope, Plains of San Agustin, NM- While heading south, we saw a sign for the Very Large Array radio telescope and took the exit. It's about 50 miles from the interstate, but we have time. This is very cool, the VLA has been featured in many movies and documentaries, including the movie "Contact". The VLA is an astronomical observatory with 27 large disk-shaped antennas that are connected to form a single large radio telescope. We got out the camp stove on the tailgate and fixed lunch in the parking lot of the visitor's center. When we got inside, we happened to catch up to a school tour being lead by someone there at the VLA. It was a great tour and we found out much more than we would have with the usual walking tour.