After decades of planning, engineering and architecture, astronomers have reached a decisive moment, pursuing unprecedented detail to map the universe. The largest digital camera ever was eventually installed on the Simonyi survey telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, conducting a revolutionary decade of investigation into the southern sky.
The 3200-megapixel LSST camera (about 3,000 kilograms, about the size of a small car) was carefully installed on the telescope in early March, marking the completion of a critical phase in the observatory structure.
“Installing an LSST camera on a telescope is a victory for science and engineering,” said Harriet Kung, acting director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. “We look forward to seeing unprecedented images that this camera will produce.”
When operating, every image of this huge camera will be so detailed that it requires displaying 400 ultra-high definition TV screens. This outstanding ability will allow astronomers to spot weak, fast moving or rapidly changing objects in the night sky.
The installation represents a significant logistical challenge. After months of testing, a clean room at the observatory’s top facility was tested, and the team used a vertical platform lift to move the exquisite instrument to the telescope floor, and then placed it on millimeters of precision with custom lifting equipment.
“Installing an LSST camera onto a Simonyi telescope is an effort that requires intense planning, work of the entire observatory team and millimeters of precise execution,” said Freddy Muñoz, head of the mechanical team at the Rubin Observatory. “Watching the LSST camera replaces it on the telescope is a proud moment for all of us.”
The observatory, co-funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, is located on Cerro Pachón, Chile, and is ideal for astronomical observations. Its position in the southern hemisphere will allow it to enter some of the most valuable areas in the night sky, including the center of our Milky Way and the satellite galaxy near us, the Magellan Cloud.
NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan stressed the importance of this milestone: “This is the final step in building one of the most ambitious scientific facilities of all time. This is a testament to the technical competence and dedication of the entire NSF-Doe Rubin Observatory and a testament to the scientific community that has been working to achieve this.”
By this moment, the camera journey began with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which was built using cutting-edge technologies specially developed for the project. After completion in April 2024, it was carefully transported to Chile for carefully planned operations.
“This is a critical moment for teams from all over the world,” said Aaron Roodman, director of LSST cameras and deputy director of Rubin Construction at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. “We will achieve never-before-seen clarity and depth in images covering the entire southern hemisphere sky.”
What is particularly special about the Rubin Observatory is its planned investigation strategy. Rubin scans the entire visible southern sky repeatedly about every three nights, rather than focusing on a single celestial object as long as many observers do. This approach will create what astronomers call “cosmic movies”, which are the ultra-high definition of the ever-changing universe.
This comprehensive dataset is expected to revolutionize multiple areas of astronomy. It will help identify and track potentially dangerous asteroids, reveal distant supernova when exploded, map the structure of our galaxy, and provide important insights into the dominant mysterious dark matter and dark energy.
Security is crucial during installation, as Sandra Romero, head of security at Rubin Observatory, explained: “Ensure the safety of our team during this installation is our highest priority. This complex action is performed through careful planning and compliance with security protocols, demonstrating the professionalism and commitment of the entire international team of Rubin.”
The observatory is named after the American astronomer Vera Rubin, whose work provides convincing evidence for the existence of dark matter, one of the mysteries of the telescope named after her, aiming to investigate further.
In the coming weeks, engineers will connect and test the camera’s utilities and systems, resulting in a highly anticipated “first view” event, when the first images of the completed observatory will be shared with the world. Comprehensive scientific operations are expected to begin in mid-2025.
Travis Lange, LSST camera project manager from SLAC, reflects this achievement: “It is a treat to watch such a talented crowd in the world with such a wide background to build the world’s largest camera. It’s a great example of what a team of scientists and engineers can do when they are asked to do something they have never done before.”
As the decade-old heritage survey begins next year, the collected data will be made available to researchers around the world, which can change our understanding of the universe and may even reveal phenomena that no one has ever imagined.
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