Records of the NRAO > Photographs Series > VLA Unit

Collection Items

VLA Site Work, 1990
Description: Inspecting VLA track for bad ties
Start Date: 1990-03

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Bad tie marker
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1990
Description: Replacing ties at the VLA
Start Date: 1990-03

VLA Site Work, 1990
Description: Replacing ties at the VLA
Start Date: 1990-03

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: VLA tie machine
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Dick Sramek, Miller Goss, and Paul Vanden Bout inspecting a manhole under construction at the VLA site. The manholes housed the connection between the waveguide and the antennas. Some of the original concrete manholes were caving in and filling up…
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Manhole under construction at VLA site. The manholes housed the connection between the waveguide and the antennas. Some of the original concrete manholes were caving in and filling up with water and dirt, so were replaced with culvert style…
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Manhole under construction at VLA site. The manholes housed the connection between the waveguide and the antennas. Some of the original concrete manholes were caving in and filling up with water and dirt, so were replaced with culvert style…
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Repairing a broken VLA transporter axle
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Old high voltage cable
Start Date: 1991-11

VLA Site Work, 1991
Description: Replacement high voltage cable
Start Date: 1991-11

Computers at VLA, 1976
Description: In late September 1976, with early VLA construction happening outside, Barry Clark and Linda Blankenship [Sowinski] work at the site. Barry recalls that his terminal was a SuperBee, connected to the Modcomp real-time system, and that the terminal on…
Start Date: 1976-09-24

Core Sampling at VLA Site, 1973
Description: Before any VLA construction began, there was extensive soil testing at the site in the center and along all the proposed arms. Environmental engineering firms, geologists from New Mexico Tech, several local drilling companies, and local excavators…
Start Date: 1973-08-31

500th VLA Antenna Move
Description: The 500th move of a VLA antenna took place on 5 November 1984. The cartoon, drawn by Paul Harden, commemorates the milestone event and the dedication of the transporter crews. The crews braved scorching sun and blowing snow (and probably blowing…
Start Date: 1984-11-05

VLA Rail System, 2017
Description: Equipment purchased in 2017 as part of ongoing efforts to improve VLA infrastructure. The machine is much bigger and better than the original equipment used to lay ties in 1976, adding a level of automation to the removal and insertion of cross-ties…
Start Date: 2017

VLA Track Crew, 1996
Description: The VLA track crew has the difficult job of maintaining ~38 miles of double track. In winter 1996, the crew members reviewed job methods to uncover hazards, and wrote a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) for every track maintenance job they performed. Using…
Start Date: 1996

VLA Rail System, 2012
Description: The rail system of the VLA, used to transport the 230-ton antennas, was built in the 1970s using rails and ties salvaged from railroads that were going out of business. Many of the steel rails are marked with their year of manufacture. At least one…
Start Date: 2012

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA waveguides entering Control Bldg

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Sandy Treppa-Richards with paper and magnetic tape

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA Antenna in the snow
Start Date: 1982-01

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA Array in the Snow
Start Date: 1982-01

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA with Flowers: B-configuration
Start Date: 1982-08

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA with Flowers: B-configuration
Start Date: 1982-08

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLBI equipment racks at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Don Retallack climbing into the VLA dish

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA antenna feed and subreflector

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Don Retallack at the feed of a VLA antenna

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Dick Sramek inside a VLA antenna dish

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Dick Sramek and VLA feed lens and subreflector

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA waveguides entering Control Building

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA waveguides entering Control Building

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA main computer room
Start Date: 1982-10

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA main computer room: PDP 11/70

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA main computer room: ModComps

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA main computer room: PDP 11/70

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Barry Clark at ModComp terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Pat Crane at VLA AIPS work station
Start Date: 1982-10

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA antennas

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA antennas on North Arm

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLBI equipment racks at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLBI equipment racks at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Central electronics room at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Bob Hill at computer terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Computer terminals and view into the correlator room at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Wirewrap backplane in correlator room at VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA looking NE: D-configuration

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Ron Ekers at VLA AIPS work station

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Frazer Owen at VLA AIPS work station

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA main computer room
Start Date: 1982-12

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA Electronics Lab; electronics workbench

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Dennis Polyard in VLA Electronics Lab

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Electronics module spares at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA Electronics Lab; electronics workbench

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Phil Dooley in VLA Computer Lab

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Bill Randolph "at work" in the VLA Control Room

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA Control Room

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Ray Gonzalez at ModComp computer terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Sandy Treppa-Richards at ModComp computer terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Bob Kummerer at ModComp computer terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: M. Stevens at ModComp computer terminal at the VLA

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: VLA West Arm and Antenna Assembly Building

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young…

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young…

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young…

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young…

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young…

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array VLA is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters 82 feet in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array VLA is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters 82 feet in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array
Description: The Very Large Array VLA is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters 82 feet in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array & Flowers
Description: The NRAO's Very Large Array (VLA) telescope is located on the Plains of San Agustin, about 80 kilometers west of the Array Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico. The VLA is composed of 27 individual antennas arranged in a "Y" pattern. Four times…

Very Large Array & Moon
Description: Landscape photo of the Very Large Array antenna with the moon.

Very Large Array & Moon 02

Very Large Array & Moon 03

Very Large Array & Radio Galaxy 3C31
Description: The innermost antennae along the north arm of the Very Large Array, superimposed upon a false-color representation of a radio (red) and optical (blue) image of the radio galaxy 3C31.

Very Large Array 01
Description: Very Large Array located in Socorro, New Mexico.

Very Large Array 02

Very Large Array 04

Very Large Array 05

Very Large Array 06

Very Large Array 07

Very Large Array 08

Very Large Array 09

Very Large Array and Fornax A
Description: The Very Large Array combined with the radio galaxy known as Fornax A.

Very Large Array Antenna on Transporter
Description: This photo shows one of the VLA antennas being moved by the transporter to a station along the tracks.

Very Large Array Antennas 01
Description: Two antenna and their surroundings, desert and mountains, at the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico.

Very Large Array at Sunset
Description: Sunset over the VLA.

Very Large Array at Twilight facing SW
Description: Twilight on the VLA, looking Southwest.

Very Large Array Dishes
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array Full Array 02

Very Large Array Full Array 03

Very Large Array North Arm
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array Panorama
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array Sepia Panorama
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.

Very Large Array South
Description: Overall view of the VLA, looking South.

Very Large Array at Sunset, 2002
Description: Photo of the Very Large Array showing several antennas in silhouette.
Start Date: 2002

Very Large Array Big Dish, August 2002
Description: B&W photo of the back of a VLA antenna.
Start Date: 2002-08

Very Large Array Dish & Sky, August 2002
Description: B&W Photo of back of VLA antenna.
Start Date: 2002-08

Very Large Array Dish & Sky, August 2002
Description: B&W photo of back of VLA antenna.
Start Date: 2002-08

Very Large Array Lone Dish, August 2002
Description: B&W Photo of VLA antenna showing a front view of the dish.
Start Date: 2002-08

Very Large Array Tracks & Dishes, August 2002
Description: B&W Photo of VLA and transfer tracks.
Start Date: 2002-08

Very Large Array - To the Horizon, 20 December 2003
Description: Antennas stretch out towards the horizon in this configuration of the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico.
Start Date: 2003-12-20

Very Large Array Antenna - Looking Out, 20 December 2003
Description: An antenna points to the clear blue sky over the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico.
Start Date: 2003-12-20

Very Large Array Antenna & Transporter, 20 December 2003
Description: An antenna being moved at the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico.
Start Date: 2003-12-20

Very Large Array Antenna 01, 20 December 2003
Start Date: 2003-12-20

Very Large Array Antenna 02, 20 December 2003
Description: VLA antenna with person in foreground.
Start Date: 2003-12-20

Very Large Array in Snow, 5 March 2004
Description: The Very Large Array in the snow.
Start Date: 2004-03-05

Very Large Array Center in C Configuration, 19 March 2004
Description: Center of the VLA With Array in C Configuration
Start Date: 2004-03-19

Very Large Array in C Configuration, 19 March 2004
Description: VLA in C Configuration, looking roughly Northeast along West Arm. At center right, just East of the Control Building, the three ALMA prototype antennas can be seen. A VLA transporter can be seen just to the left of the Antenna Assembly Building.…
Start Date: 2004-03-19

Very Large Array Antenna, July 2004
Description: Very Large Array Antenna
Start Date: 2004-07-00

Very Large Array Antennas, July 2004
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) in its most compact configuration ("D-array").
Start Date: 2004-07-00

Very Large Array Antenna & Transporter, 18 July 2004
Description: Antenna transporter has delivered a VLA antenna to the service area.
Start Date: 2004-07-18

Very Large Array Antennas, 18 July 2004
Description: Very Large Array Antennas
Start Date: 2004-07-18

Very Large Array at Sunset, 27 October 2004
Start Date: 2004-10-27

Very Large Array at Sunset/Full Moon, 27 October 2004
Start Date: 2004-10-27

Distant Very Large Array, 13 November 2005
Description: Distant view of the VLA photographed on November 13th 2005.
Start Date: 2005-11-13

Very Large Array Antenna, 16 July 2006
Description: Sunrise on an antenna of the Very Large Array.
Start Date: 2006-07-16

Very Large Array Antenna, 16 July 2006
Description: Sunrise on an antenna of the Very Large Array.
Start Date: 2006-07-16

Very Large Array, March 2007
Description: Photo of the VLA taken in March 2007.
Start Date: 2007-03

Very Large Array 01, 2009
Description: The Very Large Array
Start Date: 2009

Very Large Array 02, 2009
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.
Start Date: 2009

Very Large Array 03, 2009
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.
Start Date: 2009

Very Large Array 04, 2009
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.
Start Date: 2009

Very Large Array 05, 2009
Description: The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons.
Start Date: 2009

Very Large Array, December 2010
Description: The Very Large Array VLA telescope consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas that together they comprise a single radio telescope system. The VLA has made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around…
Start Date: 2010-12-00

Grote Reber at the VLA
Description: Grote Reber at the VLA, 23 March 1976. Antenna #1 in the background. In 1966 and 1967 Reber had written repeatedly to Everett Hurlburt, NSF Program Director for Radio Astronomy, urging him not to fund "technological dinosaurs" such as NRAO's Largest…
Start Date: 1976-03-23

Very Large Array
Description: VLA construction, antenna piers
Start Date: 1978-05-02

Very Large Array
Description: VLA antenna under construction in Antenna Assembly Building

Very Large Array
Description: Aerial view of VLA construction site, one antenna in Assembly Building, others on site
Start Date: 1976-09-15

Very Large Array
Description: VLA construction: antenna #2 in the antenna assembly building
Start Date: 1975-08-28

Very Large Array
Description: Computer room at VLA site. Dave Ehnebuske and disk drives for the DEC 10 Model KI
Start Date: 1976-09-24

Very Large Array
Description: Computer room at VLA site. Jim Torson working with the DEC PDP 11
Start Date: 1976-09-24

Very Large Array
Description: VLA antenna 19 crossing Rt. 60. On 18 January 1980, VLA crews moved antenna 5.2 km out the North Arm, thus necessitating the first antenna crossing of Rt. 60. Many turned out to witness the event, including NRAO personnel, news media, and the State…
Start Date: 1980-01-18

Very Large Array
Description: VLA overlaid on major US cities
Start Date: 1980-05-01

Very Large Array
Description: VLA overlaid on Vancouver BC map
Start Date: 1980-01-08

Very Large Array
Description: VLA Antenna Assembly building, aerial view
Start Date: 1979-10-16

Very Large Array
Description: On 30 January 1974, following several years of discussion on transporter requirements and possible designs (both within NRAO and with outside firms), E-Systems Inc. was awarded the contract for design and fabrication of transporter #1 for the VLA. …
Start Date: 1979-03-12

Very Large Array
Description: VLA antenna
Start Date: 1979-03-12

Very Large Array
Description: Antenna in Assembly Building

Very Large Array
Description: VLA antenna

Very Large Array
Description: VLA overlaid on Washington DC map

Very Large Array
Description: February 1966 on the Plains of St. Augustin, in the general area of the future intersection of the VLA arms. On the left is Cam Wade, and on the right is Max Small, both from NRAO. In the center is Robert Weber, a geologist with the NM Bureau of…
Start Date: 1966-02

VLA Dedication
Description: David Heeschen speaking at the VLA dedication.

VLA Dedication
Description: David Heeschen at the VLA Dedication, 10 October 1980
Start Date: 1980-10-10

Dedication of the VLA
Description: Dedication of the VLA, October 1980. Left to right on platform: Ron Ekers [NRAO Associate Director for VLA Operations], Robert E. Hughes [AUI President-Elect], Carl Heiles [UC Berkeley, speaker for the scientific community], Harrison (Jack) Schmitt…
Start Date: 1980-10-10

VLA in D Array

VLA Photos, 1982-1983
Description: Left to right in the VLA computer room: Dick Sramek and Bruce Mills (DEC 10 representative)
Start Date: 1982-11

Miller Goss and Trish Henning at VLA, 1 April 2023
Description: Former and current Directors of New Mexico Operations, Miller Goss and Patricia (Trish) Henning at the Bracewell Sundial at the VLA site during the 1 April 2023 VLA Open House. Among the signatures on the pillar between them is that of Frank Kerr,…
Start Date: 2023-04-01

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Guy Stanzione, engineer at the VLA.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Jesse Hurst in the machine shop at the VLA, an automated machining system that was/is used to make VLA components.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Jesse Hurst, with custom rack for some electronics, in the machine shop at the VLA.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: VLA antenna in the barn.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Lew Serna with VLA antenna in the barn.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: In the welding shop adjoining the antenna barn at the VLA.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Mark Holdaway.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Ruth Milner in her office in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: The backs of the tape drives used for the VLBA in the VLBA correlator room in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Dave Finley demonstrates an example of “data reduction in the VLBA correlator room.”
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Chuck Broadwell and Joe Greenberg in the VLBA correlator room in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Dave Finley in the VLBA correlator operator’s area in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Lothar Dahlmeyer in the VLBA correlator room in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Lothar Dahlmeyer lifting one of the floor panels in the VLBA correlator room in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Electronics lab in Socorro.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Pete Ulbricht in the Socorro electronics lab.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Everett Callan in the Socorro electronics lab.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Everett Callan working on a rack of electronics in the Socorro electronics lab.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

NM Photos, 1994
Description: Selfa Lucero.
Start Date: 1994-08-00

Collection Tree