Don Barrett (aka DBs travels)'s photos with the keyword: astronomy

North of the former (and abandoned) Zurich Station (nearby picture) is the very modern Owens Valley Radio Observatory.

The 'locomotive' that moves the antennae around the base. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

A VLA antenna in a hanger. The antenna are moved over railroad tracks pulled by the orange device seen in front of the antenna. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

See adjacent pictures of VLA Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

See comment on June 2010 visit to the VLA, in a nearby picture. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

See comment on June 2010 visit to the VLA, in a nearby picture.

See comment on June 2010 visit to the VLA, in a nearby picture.

See adjacent pictures of VLA Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

No matter which way you come upon it, the antennas of the Very Large Array National Radio Astronomy Observatory, are startling. You're driving across an area that seems to be absolute wilderness, and then you come across this very 'space age' antenna on the side of the road. That isn't initially too startling, until you realize that there are several of the antennas, connected by railroad tracks. I can't begin to explain what the facility does, so see the following link -- it has some very good pictures, and will tell you about how the antennas are moved around the field. ( www.vla.nrao.edu/ ) Even on a second visit, the array is still startling to come across -- and (for me) creates thoughts of listening for life elsewhere in the universe. Antelope -- couldn't get close enough to get a better picture. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

More antelope at the VLA. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

The oldest telescope, the Grain Bin telescope, is now used for recreational star-gazing by staff and visitors. It was built in 1950, purportedly from a grain bin ordered from a Sears Catalog. To change the direction of the telescope, the entire building rotates. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

18 miles south of Cloudcroft is the National Solar Observatory on Sacramento Peak. Having had zilch training in astronomy, it always mystifies me that we can make any sense of the far reaches of the universe. Probably because I don't understand it, it's awe-inspiring and somewhat humbling to walk among the telescopes that are used to study the sun. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.