Day 11 - Albuquerque NM

Trip Start Sep 19, 2007
1
11
18
Trip End Oct 06, 2007


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Flag of United States  , New Mexico,
Saturday, September 29, 2007

Albuquerque NM
Weather  Sunny
Temp: 88 ºF
Accommodation: Homewood Suites
 
Today we are going to somewhere that is 'off the beaten path'. VLA - stands for very large array. Remember the movie Contact (1997) with Jodie Foster and Mathew McConaughey? It was filmed there.

There are 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin west Socorro, New Mexico. No, no,no..the movie is not accurate , you don't 'listen' to the sky. The VLA is used to collect radio waves generated by the stars. Took a while to get there, it's in the middle of no where.
There is a visitors center, free admission . You can go thru the exhibits inside the visitors center then outside in a self guided walking tour. You can get very close to some. It was awesome !
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