Pictures from the world’s largest digital camera, constructed within the Bay Space, have simply been launched for the primary time, offering a never-before-seen look into deep area.
A decade within the making at SLAC Nationwide Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, the $168 million, 6,600-pound digital camera with a lens 5 toes throughout was accomplished final spring. It was shipped in a secretive, intricately orchestrated mission to a ridge-top observatory in Chile, 8,900 toes above sea stage.
SLAC’s digital camera mission supervisor Travis Lange stated final 12 months the three,200-megapixel digital camera would “revolutionize astronomy.”
The telescope contained in the closed dome of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. (Picture courtesy of NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
The telescope contained in the dome of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. (Picture courtesy of NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
Present Caption
1 of two
The telescope contained in the closed dome of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. (Picture courtesy of NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
Increase
The primary pictures to be launched that had been captured by the world’s largest digital camera, constructed at SLAC Nationwide Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, and mounted on a telescope in Chile. This picture reveals one other small part of NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s complete view of the Virgo cluster. Seen are two outstanding spiral galaxies (decrease proper), three merging galaxies (higher proper), a number of teams of distant galaxies, many stars within the Milky Manner galaxy and extra. (Picture courtesy of NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
The digital camera, now bolted to the tip of a large telescope on the Rubin Observatory, is anticipated to shoot images of 20 billion galaxies, to be stitched collectively in broad panoramas giving astronomers ever-changing views onto colliding and exploding stars and asteroids, and supply insights into interstellar mysteries together with darkish vitality and darkish matter.
SLAC, with its well-known linear accelerator used to seek out the tiniest particles within the universe, is understood for constructing giant, refined machines utilizing X-rays, lasers, and electron beams to untangle enigmas on earth and within the cosmos.
Further data and pictures from the digital camera are to be launched Monday.
Examine again on this growing story.
Initially Printed: June 22, 2025 at 9:47 PM PDT
