New Mexico has long been a leader in radio astronomy, with the iconic Very Large Array (VLA) standing as a symbol of scientific innovation for nearly 50 years. Operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the VLA remains one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world.
But the future of the field is even more ambitious.
NRAO, with the support of Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), has begun designing the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA)—a multi-billion-dollar project that aims to far surpass the VLA's capabilities.
The ngVLA will be composed of 263 dishes, most of which will be concentrated around the current VLA site on the Plains of San Agustin. Others will extend into Arizona, Texas, and Mexico, with some stretching across the United States to form a massive, high-resolution array.
The University of New Mexico has played a key role in advancing radio astronomy alongside NRAO, a relationship that dates back decades through research and faculty collaboration in UNM's Department of Physics and Astronomy. UNM is also home to the Long Wavelength Array, a low-frequency radio telescope situated at the VLA site.
That partnership is now evolving in major ways.
In September 2023, UNM, NRAO, and AUI signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore expanded collaborations in support of U.S. radio astronomy initiatives. The agreement focuses on increased cooperation between scientific and engineering teams, sharing of resources, and the identification of future opportunities, especially those tied to the ngVLA.
Over the past 19 months, those discussions have intensified. One possibility currently under exploration: locating the future ngVLA Science Center at UNM.
The ngVLA project reached a key milestone on April 25 with the delivery of its prototype antenna from German contractor mtex antenna technology GmbH to NRAO for outfitting and testing.
To mark the occasion, a ceremony was held at the VLA site, where the new prototype now stands.
NRAO Director Tony Beasley, associate director for Socorro Operations and UNM Professor Emeritus Trish Henning, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján were among those in attendance. Chris Lippitt, special advisor to the vice president for research for facilities, and Rich Rand, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, represented UNM.
Attendees also witnessed a demonstration of the prototype in action. The antenna, which features a feed located below the center of the dish, reflects new technology designed to optimize performance, resulting in a shape that may look unfamiliar but is highly effective.
With national attention and strong institutional support, New Mexico remains at the center of radio astronomy's future. UNM is poised to play an even greater role in the decades to come.
