First images from world’s largest digital camera reveal galaxies and cosmic collisions
The images and videos of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory represent just over 10 hours of testing observations and make seen before an event on Monday which will be broadcast live.
Astronomers impatiently anticipate the first images of the New Observatory, experts saying that this could help resolve some of the most durable mysteries in the universe and revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
“We are entering a golden age of American science,” said Harriet Kung, acting director of the US Energy Ministry science office in a statement.
The Vera C. Rubin observatory is jointly exploited by the Ministry of Energy and the National Foundation of American Sciences.
The installation, named after the American astronomer who discovered evidence of dark matter in the universe, is at the top of Cerro Pachón, a mountain in the center of Chile. The observatory is designed to take around 1,000 images from the sky of the southern hemisphere each night, covering the whole southern sky visible every three at four nights.
“Thanks to this remarkable scientific installation, we will explore many cosmic mysteries, including dark matter and dark energy that permeates the universe,” said Brian Stone, chief of staff to the National Science Foundation, in a press release.
