World's largest digital camera begins mapping universe from Chile

Key facts

• The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has started a 10-year mission to map the southern night sky.
• The observatory is equipped with the world's largest digital camera, weighing around 3,000 kilograms.
• The camera will capture hundreds of images each night, creating an extensive survey of the universe.
• The project aims to advance understanding of dark matter, dark energy, supernovae, and black holes.
• Researchers hope to discover millions of asteroids and potentially locate the hypothetical Planet Nine.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in Chile, has initiated a decade-long mission utilizing the world's largest digital camera to systematically map the southern night sky. This ambitious project, situated atop Cerro Pachón, involves a camera roughly the size of a small car and weighing approximately 3,000 kilograms.

Over the next ten years, the observatory is set to capture between 700 and 800 images every night. This continuous data collection will generate an unprecedented survey of the universe, providing scientists with a vast dataset for research. Phil Marshall, Deputy Director of Operations at the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, highlighted that the project will enable scientists to survey the entire southern night sky and compile a detailed census of the solar system.

The observations are expected to facilitate the discovery of millions of asteroids, aid in the search for the hypothetical Planet Nine, map the Milky Way galaxy, and contribute to the study of supernovae, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. The observatory itself is named in honor of astronomer Vera Rubin, whose groundbreaking work provided the initial strong evidence for the existence of dark matter.

Rubin Observatory had previously released initial images last year, showcasing views of the Lagoon Nebula, before commencing its full scientific operations. Marshall emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting it as a testament to what can be achieved through international teamwork on significant research endeavors.