Articles about Vera Rubin Observatory

"Ocean of Stars" image showing stars in the constellation Lupus

Rubin Observatory kicks off 10-year campaign to capture ‘the greatest cosmic movie ever made’

Legacy Survey of Space and Time is expected to find millions of asteroids and perhaps shed light on dark matter and dark energy, with an assist from University of Washington astronomers. Read More

Model of the inner solar system with sprays of light teal representing newly discovered asteroids

Rubin Observatory team discovers 11,000 new asteroids, with help from University of Washington software

Advanced algorithms speed up the search for small solar system objects, and astronomers say there’s much more to come. Read More

Illustration: Data alerts indicated in night sky with Rubin Observatory in the mountains below

Rubin Observatory sends out thousands of data alerts with an assist from Seattle astronomers

A software system developed at the University of Washington generates 800,000 alerts about moving asteroids, exploding stars and other celestial changes on its first night of full-fledged operation. Read More

Illustration: Asteroid 2025 MN45 and other rocks in the main asteroid belt

Rubin Observatory spots an asteroid that spins fast enough to set a record

A nearly half-mile-wide space rock called 2025 MN45 makes one full revolution in less than two minutes. Read More

UW astronomer Zeljko Ivezic with picture of Rubin Observatory

University of Washington celebrates Rubin Observatory’s debut — and looks ahead

It’s been more than two decades since the University of Washington helped kick off the effort to get the Vera… Read More

Rubin Observatory view of Trifid and Lagoon nebulas

The Rubin Observatory makes its debut — and the discoveries have already begun

After more than 20 years of planning and construction, astronomers celebrated the release of the first images from the Vera… Read More

Rubin Observatory beneath colorful star trails

The Rubin Observatory is throwing a big party to reveal its first pictures — and you’re invited

After more than 20 years of planning and construction, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is ready for its grand opening, and the… Read More

Sorcha simulation of Rubin Observatory discoveries

Software suggests Rubin Observatory will discover millions of solar system objects

A new type of computer simulation predicts that the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will discover millions of previously… Read More

Scientists process test images at Rubin Observatory in preparation for ‘First Look’

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun generating test images of the night sky, thanks to the Simonyi… Read More

‘We have a telescope!’ Rubin Observatory construction team installs its huge mirror

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope in Chile has now been equipped with all three of its… Read More

Simonyi Survey Telescope under construction

Podcast

Tech leader Charles Simonyi provides a wide-angle view of the telescope that bears his family name

Hubble. Webb. Chandra. Spitzer. Rubin. Roman. And now, Simonyi. With the ramping up of the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the… Read More

Asteroid hunters say they’ve found 27,500 new prospects in search for space rocks

A team of asteroid hunters that includes researchers at the University of Washington says it has identified 27,500 new, high-confidence… Read More

Orbital paths of Earth and asteroid 2022 SF289

Scientists successfully test algorithm for identifying potentially hazardous asteroids

A new technique for finding potentially hazardous asteroids before they find us has chalked up its first success. In this… Read More

How ‘Big Data’ could help SETI researchers intensify the search for alien civilizations

Could far-off aliens be sending out signals telling us they exist? If so, how would we know where to look?… Read More

Next-gen telescope project honors astronomer Vera Rubin and billionaire backer Charles Simonyi

The next great ground-based astronomical observatory, previously known as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, has been named after the late… Read More