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Very Large Array Gets Expanded Capability

Posted by Soulskill on from the really-long-distance-calling-plan dept.

Active Seti points out a story about upgrades for the Very Large Array radio telescope. The improvements will increase the VLA's capabilities 10-fold, allowing it to "pick up a cell phone signal on Jupiter." Work on the 28-antenna array is already underway, and it is expected to finish by 2012. From Scientific American: "Data gathered by all 28 of the 82-foot- (25-meter-) diameter dish antennas are brought to a correlator--a central, special-purpose computer--which merges the input into a form that allows scientists to produce detailed, high-quality images of the astronomical objects under investigation. A new fiber-optic system replaces the older waveguide system for taking data collected by the receivers to the central control building and increases the amount of data that can be delivered from the antenna to the new $17-million correlator being built by Canadian scientists and engineers to handle the increased data flow."

15 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. This Just In From Jupiter by Skeetskeetskeet · · Score: 0, Funny

    Dave...can you hear me now? Good...am I dreaming?

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  2. Very large array by MortenMW · · Score: 2, Funny

    int n = 0; while(1 = 1) { n++; int array[n]; } If you can make that run, then you have a very large array...

    1. Re:Very large array by Emetophobe · · Score: 2, Funny

      "int n = 0; while(1 = 1) { n++; int array[n]; }"

      Using an assignment operator instead of a relational operator, minus 5 geek points.

  3. More interesting is by Z00L00K · · Score: 5, Funny
    The precision - Where on Jupiter that cell phone is!

    Of course - even more interesting is WHO has a cellphone on Jupiter!

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    1. Re:More interesting is by Alsee · · Score: 3, Funny

      God I hate all the liberal bias on Slashdot. Two consecutive stories.
      Bush shouldn't be tapping phones illegally! Waaaa! Waaaa!
      Bush shouldn't be tapping phones on Jupiter! Waaaa! Waaaa!

      In this time of war, I simply cannot be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.
      If we don't illegally tap phones on Jupiter the terrorists win!

      -

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  4. Shhh.... by DamienRBlack · · Score: 5, Funny

    The earthling are listening, I have to go. Etgay attleshipbay eadyray. *click*

  5. Awesome by BigTimOBrien · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was planning a trip to Jupiter next week, and I was just on the phone with Sprint asking them if they had any coverage near the Big Spot. Good to know that the people at VLA are on the job.

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    ------ Tim O'Brien
  6. Re:damn warrantless wiretaps by calebt3 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Tagged: echelon

  7. Obligatory tag? by Xelios · · Score: 2, Funny

    canyouhearmenow?

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  8. Re:Is this data provided to the SETI@Home folks? by psychicsword · · Score: 3, Funny

    Its the aliens messing with your computer. They don't want to be found.

  9. In other news by HangingChad · · Score: 3, Funny

    The improvements will increase the VLA's capabilities 10-fold, allowing it to "pick up a cell phone signal on Jupiter."

    The Bush administration pressured Congress to expand the Protect America Act to include Jupiter. Visitors to that planet will now be required to have a US passport to get back in the country.

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  10. But Schrödinger! by slimjim8094 · · Score: 2, Funny

    My God men! Think about what you're doing!! By measuring so much, you'll kill us ALL!!!!!

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  11. Not My Phone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If my cell phone was strong enough to send a signal to Jupiter, I wouldn't want to hold that monster near my head. At least, not without my tin hat on.

  12. Simple, really... by gillbates · · Score: 2, Funny

    They had to change one line of code:

    /* This determines how big the
    * telescope array size is.
    */
    #define VERY_LARGE_ARRAY_SIZE REALLY_BIG
    to:

    /* This determines how big the
    * telescope array size is.
    *
    * 02-24-2008: s. coder: Change array size
    * for 2 GHz mod upgrade
    */
    #define VERY_LARGE_ARRAY_SIZE EVEN_BIGGER
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  13. Linked list by fph+il+quozientatore · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you plan to add and remove elements from your Very Large Array often, a Very Large Linked List is a better solution

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