The Very Large Array, the iconic field of radio antennas featured in the film "Contact" (inspired by Carl Sagan's novel), has a long and distinguished history of service. But after more than 45 years of studying the radio sky and probing the mysteries of the universe, the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which operates the VLA, is looking to create a new generation of telescopes that will pick up where the VLA leaves off.

The first step in the process was the creation of the next-generation Very Large Array, or ngVLA, prototype, a single radio antenna located on the NSF VLA grounds in the deserts of New Mexico. This prototype recently achieved a major milestone by gathering its "first light," making independent observations and working in collaboration with the NSF VLA.

This achievement marks the transition from the construction phase to astronomical testing and will serve as the blueprint for the proposed 244-antenna array.

Tony Beasley, director of NSF NRAO and AUI vice president for radio astronomy operations, explained the significance of this event in an NSF NRAO press release:

"First light from the ngVLA prototype antenna is a real-world demonstration of the engineering progress required to build America's—and the world's—next great radio astronomy facility. This milestone reflects the leadership and expertise we've tapped into among NRAO staff, our contractors, and the U.S. and international scientific community."