The Very Large Array (VLA), located in the desolate yet striking Plains of San Agustin, New Mexico, is a powerful radio telescope system consisting of 27 antennas. Arranged in a Y configuration that can stretch 22 miles, the VLA combines the signals of its antennas to simulate a highly detailed, large-scale telescope. Its distinctive presence has not only contributed significantly to astronomy but also gained cultural fame through the film Contact. Although it has served astronomers since its construction in the 1970s, the VLA is now aging and requires an upgrade to modernize its capabilities.
The VLA has become iconic for inspiring generations of astronomers, especially since its featured role in the film Contact, where it was used to decode an alien signal.
Located on the Plains of San Agustin, the Very Large Array operates as a remarkable radio telescope system, providing resolution equal to a 22-mile-wide telescope.
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