Rubin Observatory releases 'sneak peek' of first images taken with world's largest camera
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has unveiled a "sneak peek" of the first images taken with its powerful astronomy camera — and the results are stunning.
The exceptionally detailed images are peppered with multicolored stars and spiraling galaxies. In one photo, the observatory has captured two nebulae, filled with bright pink clouds of gas and dust.
The Rubin Observatory is a next-generation telescope equipped with the world's largest digital camera. These first preview images are a major milestone for the observatory, which will become fully operational later this year.
Representatives for the Rubin Observatory shared the stunning night-sky snaps on social media, ahead of an official presentation at 11 a.m. ET on Monday (June 23) via the Rubin Observatory's YouTube channel.
Observatory staff didn't reveal which parts of the night sky were captured in the preview images, and instead asked social media users to guess. Some users were quick to point out that the bright pink nebulae were the Trifid and Lagoon nebulae, located in the Sagittarius constellation around 9,000 light-years from Earth.
BBC News reported that one of the other images is of the Virgo cluster. This large cluster of galaxies has more than 1,000 members. In the Virgo cluster photo, two of its spiral galaxies are clearly visible as bright blue swirls.
Related: James Webb telescope unveils largest-ever map of the universe, spanning over 13 billion years
Researchers plan to use the Rubin Observatory's massive camera to observe the universe from Earth in never-before-seen detail. Jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Rubin Observatory is located high in the Chilean Andes, on a mountain called Cerro Pachón.
Later this year, the Rubin Observatory will begin surveying the night sky as part of a 10-year mission. By capturing images around every 40 seconds, researchers will create a time-lapse of the visible universe across space and over time. When it's finished, the Rubin Observatory will have collected the largest optical astronomy dataset in history, according to the Rubin Observatory.
RELATED STORIES
—'People thought this couldn't be done': Scientists observe light of 'cosmic dawn' with a telescope on Earth for the first time ever
—Catastrophic collision between Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies may not happen after all, new study hints
—JWST spies frigid alien world on bizarre orbit: 'One of the coldest, oldest and faintest planets that we've imaged to date'
"This enormous, all-purpose dataset will bring the night sky to life, enabling scientists around the world to better understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy, create an inventory of the Solar System, map the Milky Way, explore the dynamic sky, and more," a representative from the observatory wrote on YouTube.
The Rubin Observatory's next-generation camera should help spot "planet killer" asteroids hiding in the sun's glare, and may also help settle the debate as to whether there's a ninth planet hiding in the outer solar system.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
SpaceX sets new date for private Axiom-4 astronaut launch to the International Space Station
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The crew of Houston-based Axiom Space's next launch to the space station is back on the board. Axiom's fourth astronaut mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) has a new launch date. The crew of four will liftoff aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than June 25, NASA announced Monday evening (June 23). Liftoff is scheduled for 2:31 a.m. EDT (0631 GMT) from Launch Complex-39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Florida.. The launch had been indefinitely delayed last week due to a leak detected aboard the ISS. No update was given about that leak in NASA's announcement of the new launch date. The leak in the station's Zvezda module isn't new, but a change in the pressure data that measures the leak's severity prompted NASA and Axiom to postpone the Ax-4 launch until safety could be assured. The Ax-4 crew consists of former NASA astronaut and Axiom's director of human spaceflight Peggy Whitson. Whitson will serve as mission commander to Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu, from Hungary. All three will be the first astronauts from their respecitve nations to launch on a mission to the ISS. Related stories: — Axiom Space: Building the off-Earth economy — International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory — Top 'safety risk' for the ISS is a leak that has been ongoing for 5 years, NASA audit finds The mission is expected to last two weeks. While aboard the orbiting lab, the Ax-4 crew will conduct more science experiments and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach events than any previous Axiom mission — more than 60 in total. If all stays on schedule with Wednesday's early morning launch, the crew's Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS at approximately 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT) Thursday, June 26. A livestream of the launch and rendezvous will be lived stream on
Digital Trends
an hour ago
- Digital Trends
Check out the first stunning images from the world's largest digital camera
The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has unveiled its first images, showcasing the astonishing capabilities of its groundbreaking 3,200-megapixel digital camera, the largest in the world. The new $800 million observatory took a decade to build and represents a significant step forward in astronomical research and exploration. Situated at 8,684 feet on Cerro Pachón, near the edge of the Atacama Desert, the facility benefits from a dry and remarkably stable atmosphere, conditions that make it well-suited for astronomical observation. Recommended Videos The stunning images, captured during a trial phase that began a couple of months ago, include breathtaking views of the Trifid Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula, both stellar nurseries located several thousand light-years away. The images were created from 678 separate exposures taken across seven hours, revealing intricate details and previously invisible features in vibrant colors. 'NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory will capture more information about our universe than all optical telescopes throughout history combined,' said Brian Stone, the acting NSF director. 'Through this remarkable scientific facility, we will explore many cosmic mysteries, including the dark matter and dark energy that permeate the universe.' The Rubin Observatory is set to conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a 10-year endeavor that's expected to get underway later this year. The ambitious project aims to map the entire southern sky every three to four nights. The tantalizing result will be an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe, yielding potentially 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 Rubin Observatory said. Across its first 10 hours of observation, the Rubin Observatory has already made notable discoveries, including more than 2,100 previously undetected asteroids, at the same time capturing millions of galaxies and Milky Way stars. Sandrine Thomas, deputy director of Rubin Construction and associate director of Rubin Observatory for Rubin Summit Operation, said her team was 'thrilled' to share the observatory's first images with the world. 'It's a proud moment for our whole team,' she said. 'While we still have a few important months of commissioning and testing ahead, everything we learn now brings us closer to full science operations later this year. Today is just the beginning.'
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Docs Urged to Use Genome Tests to Diagnose Kids Early
'Knowing what's going on at the genetic level can make a huge difference,' Stoler said. 'It's about clarity, not just for doctors, but for families navigating an uncertain journey.' Access and Adoption Challenges Remain Pediatricians are generally willing to refer or order genetic testing but face several barriers, said Julian Martinez-Agosto, MD, PhD, an associate professor of genetics at UCLA Health. 'Perceptions about lack of clinical utility or impact on patient outcomes have been a primary barrier,' said Martinez-Agosto, who was not involved with the AAP report. 'Other barriers include lack of time due to high clinic volumes, unfamiliarity with the testing process, and insecurity about discussing results — especially when they're uncertain or relate to reproductive planning.' Martinez-Agosto said health systems can improve access by offering primary care clinicians accessible education and tools to support counseling and interpretation. Still, interpreting genetic results can be complex. Some findings may present unclear significance. Others may uncover unrelated but medically relevant information, such as a predisposition to adult-onset diseases. 'It would be optimal for the pediatrician to have the involvement of a trained genetic professional,' Stoler said. Indeed, the report states that genetic counseling should be offered both before and after testing, especially when test results carry uncertain significance or broader family implications. Additional barriers include cost and inconsistent insurance coverage. However, Pastinen noted recent signs of improvement. 'In the last 3 years, there's been a substantial increase in Medicaid coverage for early genomic sequencing in unsolved pediatric disease,' Pastinen said He also said the new AAP guidance could help push insurance companies still hesitant to cover these tests. 'Every year we see better coverage by insurers,' he said. 'I hope this is another piece in the reimbursement puzzle.' Demarest had consulted for, received grant funding from, and served on advisory boards of BioMarin, Neurogene, and Marinus, among others. The Precision Medicine Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado has ongoing partnerships with Illumina, although Demarest reported not receiving any direct compensation from this partnership. Stoler, Pastinen, and Martinez-Agosto reported no relevant financial conflicts of interest. Lara Salahi is a health journalist based in Boston. Lead image: Moment/Getty Images
