The Very Large Array (VLA) is a radio astronomy observatory located on the Plains of San Augustin, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, some fifty miles (80 km) west of Socorro, New Mexico, USA. U.S. Route 60 passes through the complex. The VLA stands at an altitude of 6970 ft (2124 m) above sea level. It is a component of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).