点评:How much you enjoy this place depends completely on your mindset. Remember that this is a research facility, not a major tourist venue. If you geek out on science, you'll love it. If you think you'll get to sit down in front of a computer and play with the dishes, you'll be highly disappointed.
The VLA is literally in the middle of nowhere. You may be the only one there. The 'tour' is a self-guided walk which is only perhaps 1/4 mile total distance, located all near the main visitor center. You can't walk down the line of antennas (at 13 miles long you wouldn't want to anyway). On the walk, you do get to stand up close to one of the actual antennas, only a few feet away from the base.
The visitor center is sparse, and small, but nice. There is a self-operated 15-20 minute film that you can watch in a mini theater; a small area with informative pictures; and a tiny gift shop. There are bathrooms too.
And no, you can't visit the control room, or even see any of it. A typical visit is simply going to the visitor center, and taking the short self-guided walk. For me, this was just awesome.
翻译:你对这个地方的喜爱程度完全取决于你的心态。记住,这里是科研机构,而不是热门旅游景点。如果你是科学爱好者,你会爱上这里。如果你以为可以坐在电脑前摆弄各种仪器,那你肯定会大失所望。
甚大阵列射电望远镜(VLA)真的位于荒郊野外。你可能是唯一的游客。所谓的“参观”其实是一条自助步行路线,全程大约只有四分之一英里,而且都在主游客中心附近。你不能沿着天线阵列走(反正它们长达13英里,你也不想走)。不过,在步行过程中,你可以近距离接触其中一根天线,距离基座只有几英尺远。
游客中心虽然不大,但还算不错。里面有一个自助放映机,播放15-20分钟的影片,你可以在一个小型影院观看;还有一个展示信息图片的小区域;以及一家小小的礼品店。当然,这里也有洗手间。
不,你不能参观控制室,甚至连里面的任何东西都看不到。典型的参观方式就是去游客中心,然后进行一段简短的自助游览。对我来说,这简直太棒了。