The Very Large Array Past and Future Dave Finley.

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The Very Large Array Past and Future Dave Finley

Transcript of The Very Large Array Past and Future Dave Finley.

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The Very Large ArrayPast and Future

Dave Finley

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Outline

VLA and NRAO

VLA Discoveries

Exciting Future

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory

NRAONational Radio Astronomy Observatory

A Facility ofThe U.S. National Science Foundation

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The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)

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NRAO – New Mexico

Very Large Array

Very Long Baseline Array

Science Operations Center

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Very Large Array (VLA)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Very Large Array (VLA)

1972 – Authorized1974 – Construction Began1980 – Dedication> 2500 Scientist Users> 13,000 Projects> 200 PhD Dissertations

Most Scientifically ProductiveTelescope on Earth!

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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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 sciencethat could only get crude images to being able to getthe best images of all.”

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Imaging Quality

Pre-VLA Image

VLA Image

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Cosmic Jets

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries

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Gamma Ray Bursts

First Radio Detection 1997

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA Discoveries

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VLA Discoveries

Gravitational Lenses

Einstein Ring, VLA 1987

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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VLA Discoveries

Molecules in Early Universe

PSS J2322+194412 Billion L.Y.

J1148+525112.8 Billion L.Y.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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VLA Discoveries“Microquasars” in Milky Way

VLA 1994

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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VLA Discoveries

Our Galaxy's Center

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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VLA DiscoveriesWater Ice on Mercury

VLA 1991

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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VLA Discoveries

“Hole in the Universe”

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

VLA 2007

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The VLA Covers the Sky

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Future Excitement: The Expanded Very Large Array

Replacing 1970s-vintage electronics

Returning to the state of the art

Funding: NSF, Canada, Mexico Project Complete 2012

10 Times the Capability for a FractionOf Today's Replacement Cost!

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory

New receiversAntenna modificationsNew data-transmission system (Digital replaces analog)New central supercomputer (Correlator)New control system

The Expanded Very Large Array

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Future Excitement: The Science

Cosmic Nurseries

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Future Excitement: The Science

Black Holes, Large and Small

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Future Excitement: The Science

ViolentStellarDeath

Supernova Gamma Ray Burst

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Future Excitement: The ScienceThe Early Universe

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

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Future Excitement: The Big Questions

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??

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Thank You

Dave FinleyNational Radio Astronomy Observatory