Illustration shows how the star s motion around the center of mass between it and the planet causes a wobble in its motion through space. The VLBA s ability to detect this minuscule effect revealed the presence of the planet.
Itâs been a year of adaptation for everyone. The pandemic has upended many of the ways we function as an organization, from the easy communication gleaned from informal office chats to how our crews might implement a configuration change moving many of the Very Large Array’s 230-ton antennas (adding many employee safety protocols). There were unanticipated events that had to be addressed on the fly: ALMA Observatory had to shut down its 66-antenna array in March. And there was a much anticipated celebrationâthe Very Large Array turned 40 on October 10! The commemoration of this amazing milestone (the VLA is one of the most productive ground-based radio telescopes ever) had to be reconfigured by our STEAM Education team, from an in-person