VLA
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Astronomy & Space
| Stands for | Very Large Array |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
VLA stands for Very Large Array, an astronomy & Space abbreviation.
Radio observatory of 27 antennas, each 25 meters across, arranged in a Y shape on the Plains of San Agustin in New Mexico. The VLA studies black holes, star formation, galaxies and the radio sky, and its iconic dishes appear in films and photographs worldwide.
Example: The VLA was in its most compact configuration, ideal for imaging large, diffuse radio sources.
Usage notes
Operated by the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory and dedicated in 1980, the array is reconfigured every few months by moving antennas along railroad tracks. It was featured in the 1997 film Contact. A next-generation VLA (ngVLA) with many more antennas is being planned.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- AGN – Active galactic nucleus
- ALMA – Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
- AU – Astronomical unit
- BBN – Big Bang nucleosynthesis
- BH – Black hole
- CMB – Cosmic microwave background
- CME – Coronal mass ejection
- CNSA – China National Space Administration
- COBE – Cosmic Background Explorer
- CSM – Command and Service Module
- DART – Double Asteroid Redirection Test
- DE – Dark energy