In one of my favorite science fiction movies of all time, Contact, astrophysicist Ellie Arroway stumbles across a message from space using the Very Large Array (VLA), a radio telescope array in New Mexico. While the film does not focus on this research facility, it certainly emerges as an interesting character of sorts.
Recently, this amazing facility has been receiving its first significant upgrade since the 1970s. The old, antiquated electronics are being replaced with the latest technologies, greatly improving the array's capabilities.
To reflect this new ability the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is holding a competition to find a new name for the VLA. You can visit the competition site between now and December 1, 2011 and suggest your best idea. The winning entry will be announced at the Astronomical Society meeting in Austin, Texas, on January 10, 2012.
So what's your best suggestion? After submitting your entry, post it down in the comments for everyone to see!
Image Credit: NRAO/AUI, Dave Finley
Comments
I suggested MERGATROID. I hope it’s not being used else were. I know it’s not spelled the same as in ” Heavens to Murgatroyd” but i thought it sutible. It is an acronym for Multiplexing Electromagnetic Radition Gathering Array (for) Transmissions Radiating Over Interstellar Distances.
The achronym “AVLA” could be the new name, meaning: Advanced Very Large Array (or Answer the Very Large Array, in case we want ETs to chat with us!) In spanish there is a simmilar word that means “speak” or “call”: HABLA. Just a fun idea.
I have chosen the name STELLA (meaning star). STELLA stands for Seek (or Seeking) The Eternal Light Luminating Afar
How about naming it Cyclops since it too is a giant with a huge eye….
My sugested new name is Super Redio Telescope or SRT. also, as a prefix, Scanning…
I sugested VELA – (Very Extra Large Array)
Vela is a constellation in the southern sky. Its name is Latin for the sails of a ship, and it was originally part of a larger constellation, the ship Argo Navis, which was later divided into three parts, the others being Carina and Puppis.