NRAO: National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Enables cutting edge research focused on solving the mysteries of the invisible universe and furthers scientific research on an international scale for the entire scientific community.

AUI is proud to have played a fundamental role in establishing the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) over 60 years ago, working with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and responding to the expressed needs of the US research community. Ever since, we have successfully managed NRAO for NSF, maintaining NRAO as the world’s leading radio astronomy observatory. Radio astronomy has profoundly broadened our understanding of our universe, enabling new discoveries, opening new celestial windows, revealing an otherwise invisible universe.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community.

NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

Astronomical observations at radio wavelengths allow scientists to address fundamental questions about our Universe such as:

  • When and how did galaxies form in the early Universe?
  • How do supermassive black holes form at the hearts of most galaxies?
  • How are stars and planets born?

Related News

ALMA Traces History of Water in Planet Formation Back to the Interstellar Medium

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on March 8, 2023.Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. Saxton (NRAO/AUI/NSF) Observations of water in the disk forming around protostar V883 Ori have unlocked clues about the formation of comets and planetesimals in...

Extreme Galaxy Reveals Clues to Early Supermassive Black Hole Formation

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on February 24, 2023.Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; Dana Berry / SkyWorks; ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) A bright, revealing source While studying galaxies in the early Universe with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array...

ALMA Soon to Receive a New Brain

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on February 7, 2023.Carlos Padilla, NRAO/AUI/NSF The world’s most powerful millimeter/ submillimeter telescope has received approval for central correlator and digital transmission system upgrades that will...

French Astronomer Honored as 2022 Jansky Lecturer

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on February 5, 2023.Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSFAssociated Universities, Inc. (AUI) and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) have awarded the 2022 Karl G. Jansky Lectureship to Professor Françoise Combes, Chair...

NSF and SpaceX Finalize Radio Spectrum Coordination Agreement

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on January 10, 2023.Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF, Jeff HellermanThe National Science Foundation (NSF) and SpaceX have finalized a radio spectrum coordination agreement to limit interference from the company’s Starlink...

ALMA and JWST Reveal Galactic Shock is Shaping Stephan’s Quintet in Mysterious Ways

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on January 9, 2023.Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/JWST/ P. Appleton (Caltech), B.Saxton (NRAO/AUI/NSF)Shockwaves resulting from the violent collision between an intruder galaxy and Stephan’s Quintet are helping...

ALMA Scientists Find Pair of Black Holes Dining Together in Nearby Galaxy Merger

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on January 9, 2023.Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Weiss (NRAO/AUI/NSF)While studying a nearby pair of merging galaxies using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)— an international observatory...

Hydrogen Masers Reveal New Secrets of a Massive Star to ALMA Scientists

This news article was originally published on NRAO.edu on January 9, 2023.Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Weiss (NRAO/AUI/NSF)Scientists used the unique hydrogen radio recombination lines on MWC 349A to reveal hidden collimated jets While using the Atacama Large...

Heising—Simons Foundation Partners with AUI and the IAU to Boost Gender Equity Programs for Young Astronomers

The Heising–Simons Foundation (HSF) has awarded $126,500 to Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to support two programs: the Women and Girls in Astronomy project and the IAU Junior Member Travel Grant Fund. Women and...

New NSF Funded Project Will Study How Podcasts Can Support Inclusive STEM Learning

[Washington, D.C.] Tumble Media, in partnership with Associated Universities Inc (AUI), Oregon State University (OSU) and Independence Science, has been awarded a $1 million grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division Of Research On Learning. The team will...

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