Arrays near Socorro 'magnificent'

New Mexico is home to one of the most unique and mysterious wonders of the world. Unfortunately, not many people know about it.

About four hours west of Clovis on U.S. 60 is the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA).

Courtesy photo:

Mike Jimenez

The radio

telescopes are located west of Socorro.

Here, a collection of 27 radio telescopes set in a Y-shaped pattern are located high on the San Agustin Plains west of Socorro, situated between the towns of Datil and Magdalena.

It is a magnificent sight easily seen for miles in the crystalline air of the High Plains. It’s clearly an adventure worth the time you’ll spend driving.

Fields of brilliant sunflowers fill the landscape on your approach to the entrance where you’ll see 27 satellite dishes, each spanning an incredible 82 feet in diameter.

If you are fortunate, you will be present as they all move together at the command of operators to form a massive antennae with the same resolution as one 22 miles across. It is an awe-inspiring sight rarely seen and worth every minute of this day trip.

The array was first approved by Congress in 1972 and its formal dedication occurred in 1980.

The science behind the array is how all of the satellite dishes act together to form an interferometer, which when coupled with Earth’s rotation and patterns created, allow scientists to see into space.

It could also be called, “Very Sciency Stuff,” considering all the technology involved.

The stark metal dishes have made it to the big screen in movies, including “2010: The Year We Make Contact,” “Contact” and a documentary by Carl Sagan titled, “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage.”

The VLA offers self-guided tours each day from 8:30 a.m. until sunset, and guided tours are offered once a month on the first Saturday each month.

Times can be checked by calling the visitor’s center at 575-835-7410.

Admission to the VLA is $6 for adults, and $5 for seniors and children 17 and under.

If you are tired of the same old trips to the lakes or the big city to go shopping, then a day trip to the San Agustin Plains above Socorro is one place to check out.

And if you have enough time and want to continue heading west for another 40 miles, you might want to check out Pie Town. It’s famous for its pies and it isn’t everyone who can say they ate pie in Pie Town.