Beyond the Visible, a new film about the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, highlights some of the major accomplishments of this radio telescope. // NRAO/AUI/NSF
On Friday, October 4, the
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) was forced to temporarily suspend all U.S. operations because of lack of funding due to the government shutdown. But before this organization (which is a facility of the
National Science Foundation) shut its many doors throughout the country, it did release a new 24-minute film about its recently renovated Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope, located west of Socorro, New Mexico.
Fittingly, Beyond the Visible, as the movie is called, includes narration by Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster, star of the 1997 Warner Brothers film Contact, which was filmed in part at the VLA.
Once Congress decides to start funding governmental agencies again, this movie will play at the VLA Visitor Center. In the meantime, though, you can watch the behind-the-scenes story of the operation and scientific achievements of the VLA’s 27 independent radio antennas from the comfort of your computer.
Check it out on the NRAO (non-suspended) Vimeo page.