Very Large Array (VLA), New Mexico

I have no idea what this place is.  No idea at all (if anyone could explain it, I would appreciate it).  There was a movie called Contact filmed here.  It seems like a must-see place if you are near Socorro, NM.

The best part of it was the drive out there.  The scenery on the drive is beautiful.  I loved seeing some pronghorns; there are a lot of them in the area.

 

 

The VLR is 50 miles from Socorro, NM.  There isn't much out there except the VLA - but, it's a nice drive.

 

 

Yet another dust tornado off in the distance!

 

So, here's the Very Large Array.  Pretty to look at, but I don't get it!

 

 

 

The photo above was taken at 4:15 p.m.  The photo below of the same antenna was taken at 4:22 p.m. from nearly the same spot.  In that little bit of time, it had rotated half way around.  [RIGHT?!  Like, who cares?]