The Very Large Array (VLA) - Socorro, NM The VLA is an interferometer; this means that it operates by multiplying the data from each pair of telescopes together to form interference patterns. The structure of those interference patterns, and how they change with time as the earth rotates, reflect the structure of radio sources on the sky: we can take these patterns and use a mathematical technique called the Fourier transform to make maps. The VLA is used primarily by astronomers from around the world. It's also occasionally used for atmospheric/weather studies, satellite tracking, and other miscellaneous science. If you would like to use the VLA for your research experiment, please see the instructions for submitting proposals.     Array Configurations     The E Configuration     VLA Observing Schedules Basics of Radio Astronomy - This workbook is currently available in Adobe Acrobat .pdf (portable document format) files, one file per chapter. Using freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may view the files on your computer (either now or after you've downloaded them and disconnected from the Internet), or print them out for study later. The largest of these files is 413 Kb.     Cover, Table of Contents, and Introduction     Chapter 1. Overview: Discovering an Invisible Universe     Chapter 2. The Properties of Electromagnetic Radiation     Chapter 3. The Mechanisms of Electromagnetic Emissions     Chapter 4. Effects of Media     Chapter 5. Effects of Motion and Gravity     Chapter 6. Sources of Radio Frequency Emissions     Chapter 7. Mapping the Sky     Chapter 8. Our Place in the Universe     Appendix: A. Glossary | B. References and Further Reading     Index Amateur Radio and Radio Astronomy Links Amateur Radio Astronomy CONTACT   Premise: Radio astronomer Dr. Eleanor Arroway leads a team of scientists that search the skies for signals from distant stars - to learn if there is intelligent life in the universe. Her dream comes true, and a message comes from the depths of space, containing the schematics of how to build an interstellar spacecraft. Now, as the world debates on whether or not to create the ship, Ellie has to decide if she wants to be one of the team on the ship that will make contact.     Contact - Interview     Contact - Review SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data.     © Copyright 2008 - Samuel J. Wormley   by swormley1@mchsi.com