While you might know it from the 1997 movie Contact featuring Jodie Foster, BMW CCA New Mexico Chapter members learned the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) outside of Socorro is much more than just a neat movie backdrop during our September drive.
On September 22, 2024, 12 New Mexico BMWs met in Socorro for the westward drive along US Route 60 to the VLA. This event was part of the BMW CCA’s X Chapter’s X Drives America relay celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the launch of the X5. The New Mexico Chapter met up with three cars from the Sonora Chapter of the BMW CCA from Tucson — amazingly pulling into the VLA parking lot at the same time coming from opposite directions on Route 60.
Participants enjoyed an exceptional tour of the VLA given by Dr. Dale Frail, Astronomer Emeritus, who co-discovered the first planets outside the solar system. Having worked at the VLA since the early 1990s and even serving as its director for a period, Dr. Frail was able to share a wealth of information about the scientific research and operations of the radio astronomy telescope, which is composed of 27 individual dish-shaped antennas configured in a “Y” shape. The dishes were in motion during our tour, providing an incredible up-close look into their functioning.
Following the tour, photo ops featured the X vehicles in attendance, including an E70 X5, G05 X5, and E71 X6 from New Mexico, as well as shots of all the BMWs from both New Mexico and Arizona, with the famous VLA dishes in the background. The “official” handoff of the special X5 model – which also happened to be a second generation E70 X5! — was coordinated, as well. The X5 model is now on its way to Dallas for the next leg of the relay.
After the 25 total participants from New Mexico and Arizona departed the VLA, the Tumbleweeds Diner in Magdalena provided a delicious lunch before everyone headed off for home.
Thank you to all who joined us for this unique collaborative event with the X and Sonora BMW CCA Chapters!
