The Very Large Array Past and Future Dave Finley

Outline VLA and NRAO VLA Discoveries Exciting Future

National Radio Astronomy Observatory NRAO National Radio Astronomy Observatory A Facility of The U.S. National Science Foundation

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope National Radio Astronomy Observatory

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)

NRAO – New Mexico Very Large Array Very Long Baseline Array Science Operations Center National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Very Large Array (VLA) National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Very Large Array (VLA) 1972 – Authorized 1974 – Construction Began 1980 – Dedication > 2500 Scientist Users > 13,000 Projects > 200 PhD Dissertations Most Scientifically Productive Telescope on Earth! National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Top 5 Telescopes of All Time Oct. 23, 2002 Galileo's Homemade Spyglass 200-Inch Hale Telescope Very Large Array Hubble Space Telescope Chandra X-Ray Observatory “Suddenly, radio astronomy went from being a science that could only get crude images to being able to get the best images of all.” National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Imaging Quality Pre-VLA Image VLA Image National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Cosmic Jets National Radio Astronomy Observatory VLA Discoveries

Gamma Ray Bursts First Radio Detection 1997 National Radio Astronomy Observatory VLA Discoveries

Gravitational Lenses Einstein Ring, VLA 1987 National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries Molecules in Early Universe PSS J Billion L.Y. J Billion L.Y. National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries “ Microquasars” in Milky Way VLA 1994 National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries Our Galaxy's Center National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries Water Ice on Mercury VLA 1991 National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries “Hole in the Universe” National Radio Astronomy Observatory VLA 2007

The VLA Covers the Sky National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Future Excitement: The Expanded Very Large Array Replacing 1970s-vintage electronics Returning to the state of the art Funding: NSF, Canada, Mexico Project Complete Times the Capability for a Fraction Of Today's Replacement Cost! National Radio Astronomy Observatory

New receivers Antenna modifications New data-transmission system (Digital replaces analog) New central supercomputer (Correlator) New control system The Expanded Very Large Array

Future Excitement: The Science Cosmic Nurseries National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Future Excitement: The Science Black Holes, Large and Small National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Future Excitement: The Science Violent Stellar Death Supernova Gamma Ray Burst National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Future Excitement: The Science The Early Universe National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Future Excitement: The Big Questions

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Thank You Dave Finley National Radio Astronomy Observatory