The VLBA is a system of ten radio-telescope antennas,each with a
dish 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter and weighing 240 tons. From
Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii to St. Croix in the
U.S. Virgin Islands, the VLBA spans more than 5,000 miles,
providing astronomers with the sharpest vision of any telescope on
Earth or in space. Dedicated in 1993, the VLBA has an ability to
see fine detail equivalent to being able to stand in New York and
read a newspaper in Los Angeles. An overview of
the VLBA briefly describes its equipment and design.
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