Contest #137 answer: Very Large Array, New Mexico

If bigger is better, this must be the ultimate pair of ears, listening to the universe. The radio telescope at Arecibo (contest #134) is the largest single disc telescope, this Very Large Array, consisting of 27 independent 25 m. (82 ft) antennas can be configured to act as a single dish with a diameter of 36 km. (22.3 miles).

vla

The array was constructed between 1973 and 1976, was funded by the USA government and is operated by the NRAO.

Gary has some nice pictures of this facility on his travel picture blog.

vla_gary

Those with their ears wide open:

  • Andy McConnell
  • David S
  • ACG
  • Pascal Gilbraith
  • Milosh, Serbia
  • Dennis S.
  • Paul Franson
  • Ivar Bonsaksen
  • Jan_Vergouwe
  • hhgygy
  • BroderUlf
  • jeffrey
  • lardarz
  • Sarah G
  • Steve Jaycocks
  • Thomas Egan
  • Willem
  • David Kozina
  • BobB