The VLA Visitor Center/Self Guided Tour is open daily to the public from 8:30 AM to sunset. There is no charge however we do have a donation box and gift shop.

All donations and purchases at the gift shop go towards supporting our education programs.

The VLA Visitor Center/Self Guided Tour offers the following:

1.) Exhibits explaining radio astronomy, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) plus restrooms, a drinking fountain, and a pop machine. There is NO food available at the VLA Site.

2.) An Auditorium that features a nine minute comprehensive film called "A Journey of Discovery" which explains radio astronomy, NRAO, and the Very Large Array.

3.) The VLA Gift Shop is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The VLA Gift Shop is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

The VLA Gift shop phone number is 575.835.7410 or shop on line at http://www.vla.nrao.edu/genpub/shop/

4.) The self guided walking tour leads you around the VLA site on a quarter mile walking tour which includes walking to the base of a working antenna. The next stop on the walking tour will take you up a flight of outside stairs to the second floor of the control building allowing for a beautiful view (and photo opportunity!) of the east and west arms of the array plus a peek through the window of the Array Operators Station and Electronics Room.

5.) Visitors may drive to the Antenna Assembly Building for the AAB Self Guided Tour.

This short drive takes you to a parking area in front of the Antenna Assembly Building (the tallest structure on the site). From this parking area the visitor may see an antenna inside the building or on the master pad and maybe one of the orange antenna transporters. You may get out of your car in this area, however you must remain inside the designated parking area.

6.) Safety Concerns. Visitors are allowed to take pictures of anything and everything from any and all of the visitors' designated paths, walking and parking areas. However, we do not allow cell phone cameras as all cell phones and electronic devices must be turned OFF the entire time you are at the VLA Site! We allow digital and film cameras. Lightning strikes are common, as are snakes and wildlife. Please follow all safety directions posted at the VLA Site at all times!

The VLA is 50 miles west of Socorro on Hwy 60. The VLA site is ~ 7,000 feet in elevation. Weather conditions are often extreme. The closest town with gas, food, and other supplies is Magdalena located 19 miles east of the VLA on Hwy 60.

Enjoy your trip to the VLA. Feel free to contact me with any feedback.

Judy Stanley NRAO/VLA Education Officer - jstanley@nrao.edu - 575-835-7243 Office

505-515-5780 cell - P.O. Box O - Socorro, NM 87801