The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a major new scientific facility jointly funded by NSF and the U.S. DoE’s Office of Science. The new images are a small preview of the observatory’s upcoming 10-year scientific mission to explore and understand some of the Universe’s biggest mysteries.
This composite combines 678 separate images, taken by NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time, and shows the Trifid (top right) and Lagoon nebulae. Image credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is named in honor of the U.S. astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who found conclusive evidence of vast quantities of invisible material known as dark matter.
Understanding the nature of dark matter, dark energy and other large-scale cosmic mysteries is a central focus of the observatory’s mission.
Rubin is perched at the summit of Cerro Pachón in Chile, where dry air and dark skies provide one of the world’s best observing locations.
Its 8.4-m telescope has the largest digital camera ever built, which feeds a powerful data processing system.
Later in 2025, the observatory will begin its primary mission, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, in which it will ceaselessly scan the sky nightly for 10 years to precisely capture every visible change.
The result will be an ultrawide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the Universe.
It will bring the sky to life with a treasure trove of billions of scientific discoveries.
The images will reveal asteroids and comets, pulsating stars, supernova explosions, far-off galaxies and perhaps cosmic phenomena that no one has seen before.
“The Vera C. Rubin Observatory demonstrates that the United States remains at the forefront of international basic science and highlights the remarkable achievements we get when the many parts of the national research enterprise work together,” said Dr. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
“The observatory is an investment in our future, which will lay down a cornerstone of knowledge today on which our children will proudly build tomorrow.”
“The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will capture more information about our Universe than all optical telescopes throughout history combined,” added Dr. Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director.
“Through this remarkable scientific facility, we will explore many cosmic mysteries, including the dark matter and dark energy that permeate the Universe.”
“We’re entering a golden age of American science,” said Dr. Harriet Kung, acting director of DOE’s Office of Science.
“The Rubin Observatory reflects what’s possible when the federal government backs world-class engineers and scientists with the tools to lead.”
“This facility will drive discovery, inspire future innovators and unleash American excellence through scientific leadership.”
Rubin Observatory will also be the most efficient and effective Solar System discovery machine ever built.
Rubin will take about a thousand images of the southern hemisphere sky every night, allowing it to cover the entire visible southern sky every three to four nights.
In doing so, it will find millions of unseen asteroids, comets and interstellar objects.
The observatory will be a game changer for planetary defense by spotting far more asteroids than ever before, potentially identifying some that might impact the Earth or Moon.
“The unveiling of the observatory’s first images marks the beginning of a new era in astrophysics,” said Dr. Patrick McCarthy, director of NSF’s NOIRLab.
“We congratulate the Rubin Observatory team for this great achievement and look forward to the beginning of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which has the potential to reshape our understanding of the Universe.”
