Do you ever look up at the stars and try to imagine what lies in the depths of space? Ever since I saw the movie “Contact” way back in 1997 at the tender age of 11, I have wanted to stand underneath these enormous radio telescopes. When I found out they were within driving distance to the Supercharger I was at, I couldn’t miss the opportunity.
They are located literally in the middle of nowhere, in order to be as far away from light pollution as possible. Leaving from Truth or Consequences, they are located about 100 mi to the west. After driving through the desert for what seemed like an eternity, the array starts to dot the horizon. With 26 movable satellite dishes each with a diameter of 80 ft, there is no missing these beauties. The sheer size really in indescribable unless you are standing directly beneath them. There is a $5 fee that allows you to take a walking tour of the grounds and watch a video about the facility. It’s well worth it as you can freely walk right up to the satellites.
Carl G. Janskey Very Large Array
Closest Supercharger: Truth or Consequences 103.1 mi
- There are slow chargers located in Socorro if you have a shorter range vehicle.
