Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in Chile under clear, dark skies, has launched the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year project aiming to create the most comprehensive and cinematic record of the Universe to date. The survey will repeatedly photograph the entire southern sky every few nights with ultra-wide, high-definition imaging to produce a dynamic time-lapse of the cosmos.
The observatory is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. It is operated as a joint program between NSF NOIRLab and DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, with NOIRLab managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).
Officials highlight the observatory's scientific potential. Darío Gil, Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy, stated that the Rubin Observatory will redefine cosmology and astrophysics by capturing the dynamic Universe and helping to explore phenomena such as dark energy and dark matter. The project reflects decades of innovation supported by federal investment in science.
Bob Blum, Director of Rubin Observatory at NSF NOIRLab, noted the LSST will transform astronomy and astrophysics by providing open access to its data to researchers worldwide, enabling new discoveries across various fields.