Yesterday we drove 130 miles southwest of Albuquerque to visit the Very Large Array (VLA), one of the telescopes that is part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The VLA was celebrating the 20th year anniversary of the movie Contact staring Jodie Foster part of which was filmed there.
We took a walking tour led by one of the astronomers who is doing research at the VLA who gave us a very cool behind the scenes look into the operation of the telescope which is actually made up of 27 separate dishes. When the data collected from each dish it is sent to a computer where it is combined. The VLA can also be “combined” with the other arrays and dishes around the world to make a radio telescope that is about the size of our earth.
The VLA dishes are set in a “Y” arrangement and all can be moved to make each leg as small a 1/2 mile to as big as one being 13 miles. One of the most fascinating parts of the tour was when a maintenance employee told us about the transporter they use to move the dishes. Here is a YouTube video about the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX56jiuPG7k
Antenna Mechanics: http://www.vla.nrao.edu/genpub/work/antmech2.shtml
The VLA is about 50 miles west of Socorro, NM, a long way to be sure but well worth the trip.
Check out these links for more info:
http://www.vla.nrao.edu/
http://www.vla.nrao.edu/genpub/overview/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_G._Jansky_Very_Large_Array
https://public.nrao.edu/gallery/
https://public.nrao.edu/telescopes/alma/
This is the project being done right now: https://public.nrao.edu/news/vla-begins-huge-project/
October 10, 2017
Yesterday we got out of bed at 3 AM to go out to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We left the house at 4 AM and arrived there about 4:30 where it was pretty darned cold. We got some hot drinks, a breakfast burrito and found a seat to wait for the launch.
The launch of all the balloons was supposed to start at 7 AM but we noticed that some of the pilots were rolling up there equipment and leaving. Joyce asked one of the event guys and he said that there were on a hold for the winds and that it looked like the only ones that might get off would be the Dawn Patrol balloons. Well, that really sucks!
We hung around a little while longer and decided to leave. On the way out of the parking lot we did see the five Dawn Patrol guys take off which was not what we came to see.
When we got back to Kirtland the camp host told us that they finally launched all the balloons at 9 AM. Oh well, maybe another year.
We have a reservation at the White Sands Missile Range Volunteer Park Travel Campsite for the 12th and had planned to head down that way today, stopping at a couple of places on the way. However, we stirred the Jello bowl again and have decided to just stay here for two more days. The price is right at $18 a night, we can get some laundry done and for no other reason than we just like it here. While we are at the missile range campground we can take a couple of day trips out to see the places we wanted to visit.
Here are a some tips about being in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta:
1. If you are planning on staying at Kirtland we would recommend you arrive at least three or four days before the start date. They don’t take reservations so the earlier you arrive the better. You can stay at the famcamp for 14 days max.
2. If you are going to stay in a RV park off base make your reservations as soon as you can. Some of the parks in the area book up a year in advance and they are expensive. Sandia Casino allows dry camping in their parking lot but I have heard they are charging $50 a night. Hotels in the area are the same.
3. Get your tickets online. This year they were $10 each plus parking was $15. If you are going to drive plan to arrive out at the Fiesta grounds NLT 5 AM, especially on the first couple of days. There are park and rides you can take but a neighbor here at the famcamp did that and wound up standing in line for 1.5 hours and missed the launch all together.
4. You have to be flexible due to the weather conditions here. Winds can change dramatically from one minute to the next, especially out at the Fiesta grounds. Remember, if they launch one balloon that is considered a successful event and you will not get a rain check. There are no refunds that I am aware of.
Seen in Old Town Albuquerque.
Joyce and I have been following the fires burning in Northern California especially in the Calistoga and St. Helena area. As most of you know Joyce’s family lives in St. Helena and we have friends in Calistoga. So far everyone are good. Very scary.
Today is our last day at Kirtland AFB so we’ll get the rig ready to move, do some laundry and hit the Commissary one more time. We’ve had a good stay here but it’s time tome on down the road.
October 13, 2017
Yesterday we left Kirtland AFB about 9:45 AM, jumped on I-25 south to Las Cruces then took US-70 over the hills to the White Sands Missile Range Volunteer Park Travel Campground. This is our second time at this small park having come here four years ago.
If you ever want to come out this way be aware of the grade out of Las Cruces. You climb all the way from I-25 to the summit of the hills, the last section being 6 % for several miles. I ran it in 3rd gear at 2000 RPM which worked out to 27 MPH. Not too bad but on a hot day make sure you keep your eye on your temperatures.
After getting setup in our site we made our way over to the post’s bowling alley where they have a sports bar and grill. Nothing fancy but the food was good and the beer was cold.
Today we took a drive up to Hollman AFB in Alamogordo just for something to do. Checked out the base exchange and commissary which is a must when you go a new base. it’s written in the “rules for military retiree’s”.
October 14, 2017
Today we went to downtown Las Cruces to check out the Farmer’s Market and Craft Show. We weren’t very impressed since it was one booth after another all selling the same stuff that you saw three booths back.
After walking around there for awhile we decided to have lunch at the Si Senior Restaurant and we’re glad we did. The chips and salsa our server brought out were amazing and our lunches were delicious.
This is how all chips and salsa should be served
Gotta throw in a couple of grand kid pictures.
Skyler & Abigail
Skyler "The Ham"
Barry & Joyce
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