The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescopes
I first visited the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescopes in the 1980s when I was providing photographs for a book on New Mexico and was traveling all over the state with my young son.
The telescopes have been in films such as Contact, Independence Day and Terminator Salvation.
Each of its Y-shaped arms is 13 miles long. Its 27 antennas weigh 230 tons apiece, mounted on railroad tracks so they can slide around to boost their ability to eavesdrop. It can be seen from space, and from many miles away as you approach on US 60.
When I called ahead on that first visit to the public relations office and started my spiel, "Hi, I'm working on a book on New Mexico for…" I was interrupted by the man in charge of media relations telling me, "No problem, come on out. Just don't climb on them."
To say the least, it was a refreshing change from being shuttled from phone to phone telling my story again and again.
I was using film at the time and not knowing exactly what would be needed, shot color, black and white and color infrared.
I returned fairly recently with my daughter and two young grandsons, this time with digital cameras.
The older grandson was worried about rattlesnakes and I had to reassure him that, although they were there, we probably wouldn't run into any and if we did, we would just give them a lot of space. He finally agreed to get out of the car.
I've seen a lot of night shots of the telescopes and I like them a lot, but since the VLA telescopes rely on radio waves opposed to visual light, showing stars as light streaks across a dark sky really isn't all that accurate, although they do produce dramatic photos. Unlike regular telescopes, these don't need the sky to be dark to operate.
One of my favorite stops was the repair facility (below), where they would move one of the massive telescopes on railroad tracks into a large repair shop. Seeing the telescope inside the building reminded me of scenes from the movie Apolo 13, where they had the Saturn rocket inside a humongous building while getting it ready for launch.
The telescopes have been in films such as Contact, Independence Day and Terminator Salvation.
Each of its Y-shaped arms is 13 miles long. Its 27 antennas weigh 230 tons apiece, mounted on railroad tracks so they can slide around to boost their ability to eavesdrop. It can be seen from space, and from many miles away as you approach on US 60.
When I called ahead on that first visit to the public relations office and started my spiel, "Hi, I'm working on a book on New Mexico for…" I was interrupted by the man in charge of media relations telling me, "No problem, come on out. Just don't climb on them."
To say the least, it was a refreshing change from being shuttled from phone to phone telling my story again and again.
I was using film at the time and not knowing exactly what would be needed, shot color, black and white and color infrared.
I returned fairly recently with my daughter and two young grandsons, this time with digital cameras.
The older grandson was worried about rattlesnakes and I had to reassure him that, although they were there, we probably wouldn't run into any and if we did, we would just give them a lot of space. He finally agreed to get out of the car.
I've seen a lot of night shots of the telescopes and I like them a lot, but since the VLA telescopes rely on radio waves opposed to visual light, showing stars as light streaks across a dark sky really isn't all that accurate, although they do produce dramatic photos. Unlike regular telescopes, these don't need the sky to be dark to operate.
One of my favorite stops was the repair facility (below), where they would move one of the massive telescopes on railroad tracks into a large repair shop. Seeing the telescope inside the building reminded me of scenes from the movie Apolo 13, where they had the Saturn rocket inside a humongous building while getting it ready for launch.
The VLA is a fun place to wander around, especially if you have a scientific gene somewhere in your body.
And it, at least for me, provides a subject that is full of post-processing possibilities such as some of the intensely saturated colors I used in a few images to satisfy my sci-fi imagery needs.
If you are lucky enough to encounter a day when they are reconfiguring the telescopes, or when they are adjusting their aim, you'll be treated to some fairly eerie sounds that are reminiscent of a futuristic science fiction movie, which definitely add to the ambiance of your visit.
How to get there:
I-25 exits 147 or 150 for Socorro, then west on US Hwy 60 about 47 miles. The VLA is on the south side of the highway. Follow the signs from Hwy 60; it's another few miles before you get to the Visitor Center.
Hours: Visitor Center: daily 8:30 a.m. to dusk. (Call to verify)
Phone: 575.835.7243
And it, at least for me, provides a subject that is full of post-processing possibilities such as some of the intensely saturated colors I used in a few images to satisfy my sci-fi imagery needs.
If you are lucky enough to encounter a day when they are reconfiguring the telescopes, or when they are adjusting their aim, you'll be treated to some fairly eerie sounds that are reminiscent of a futuristic science fiction movie, which definitely add to the ambiance of your visit.
How to get there:
I-25 exits 147 or 150 for Socorro, then west on US Hwy 60 about 47 miles. The VLA is on the south side of the highway. Follow the signs from Hwy 60; it's another few miles before you get to the Visitor Center.
Hours: Visitor Center: daily 8:30 a.m. to dusk. (Call to verify)
Phone: 575.835.7243
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The above four photos are examples of playing around with some post-processing effects
VLA taken with a Widelux F7 panoramic camera with Ilford HP5 film
To contact Bob Eckert for assignments, consultations or workshops, please email [email protected]
or use the contact form on the About page
or use the contact form on the About page