The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) that runs the facility has for a decade been fitting it with state-of-the-art digital electronics, a new central computer, and high-speed transmission lines to carry the data that the 25m, 200-tonne dishes gather.

BBC: Very Large Array telescope in public call for new name

Chris Carilli, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, New Mexico, points out that the quasar-based method to measure the ancient value of alpha is at least 30 years old, and has never before resulted in a value different from today's alpha.

ECONOMIST: Fundamental physics