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.172116.1
HOUSE MEMORIAL 18
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
SECOND SESSION
, 2008
INTRODUCED BY
Thomas A. Anderson
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY'S VERY
LARGE ARRAY RADIO TELESCOPE FOR ITS PROMINENCE IN THE FIELD OF
ASTRONOMY AND FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD THE ADVANCEMENT OF
SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE.
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope, situated
outside of Socorro, New Mexico, is one of the world's premier
astronomical radio observatories; and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope is an
exceedingly powerful scientific instrument, which has
transformed many areas of astronomy in its years of operation;
and
WHEREAS, the array operations center is located on the
campus of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology,
which also provides scientific, engineering, technical,
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computer and support staff for the very large array radio
telescope as well as the very long baseline array radio
telescope; and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope has a long
history in New Mexico, having been approved by congress in
1972, constructed between 1973 and 1980 and dedicated in 1980;
and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope in New
Mexico is still the most productive astronomical instrument on
earth; and
WHEREAS, it consists of twenty-seven radio antennas, each
of which is eighty-two feet in diameter, placed in a Y-shaped
configuration; and
WHEREAS, data from the twenty-seven antennas are combined
electronically to give the resolution of an antenna twenty-two
miles across, with the sensitivity of a dish four hundred
twenty-two feet in diameter; and
WHEREAS, Socorro, New Mexico, was chosen as the best
possible location for the very large array radio telescope,
based on the local climate and topography, its distance from
major metropolitan areas and its proximity of good roads; and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope is used by
astronomers from around the world to conduct fundamental
research on the nature of the universe and to seek answers to
some of the biggest questions, such as how the universe began,
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how big it is, how old it is and how it will end; and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope is also used
for atmospheric and weather studies, satellite tracking and
other miscellaneous scientific procedures; and
WHEREAS, astronomy stirs scientific curiosity in thousands
of young people every year, who learn that astronomy involves
nearly the whole range of the physical sciences, including
mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, engineering and
computer science; and
WHEREAS, many professional scientists in these and other
fields first became interested in their profession through
astronomy; and
WHEREAS, in today's world marketplace, a competitive
nation needs its entire population, not just its scientists, to
have a basic level of scientific literacy; and
WHEREAS, astronomy, by providing the excitement of new
knowledge about the fascinating variety of strange objects in
the universe, can help communicate basic scientific knowledge
to all people; and
WHEREAS, the very large array radio telescope is of
economic benefit to New Mexico, in that it employs up to a
hundred people on any given day, who work to keep the telescope
in good working condition; and
WHEREAS, the popular and award-winning movie "Contact" was
filmed in part at the very large array radio telescope, which
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increased tourism to the area and has further supported the
local economy; and
WHEREAS, the national radio astronomy observatory, which
operates the very large array radio telescope, is a facility of
the national science foundation, which is operated under
cooperative agreement by associated universities, incorporated;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the national
radio astronomy observatory's very large array radio telescope
be recognized for its significant contributions to science and
to the state of New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the directors of the national science foundation
and the national radio astronomy observatory.
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