Very Large Array - Carpool Event
Details
One of the best things about living in New Mexico is having places like the Very Large Array (VLA) right here in our state.
Tucked away on the Plains of San Agustin, the VLA is one of the world’s premier radio astronomy observatories. Those enormous satellite-looking dishes are actually radio telescopes. The VLA uses 27 massive antennas working together to study the universe, including distant galaxies, black holes, stars, and other objects in deep space.
And we're going to check it out!
We'll meet at 8:00 AM and make the roughly 2-hour drive out to the VLA. We will be carpooling, so we'll get everyone together at the meeting spot and consolidate into vehicles before heading out.
Once we're there, we'll explore the Visitor Center and take the self-guided walking tour, which takes us right to the base of one of their massive 230-ton antennas.
The walking portion is only about half a mile and mostly level. This field trip isn't about getting miles in. It's about getting out of town, seeing something most people never get the chance to see up close, and learning a little about how scientists use these incredible machines to explore the universe.
Admission is $10 per person, and this one is absolutely worth the drive. You can buy your tickets online.
Come be a kid again for the day. Field trips aren't just for kids anymore.