The Legacy Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) has successfully installed its 3,200-megapixel camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, marking a major milestone in the project’s nearly two-decade journey. The massive 6,600-pound camera is now ready to capture stunning images of the universe, providing unprecedented clarity and depth.
Designed by scientists over 20 years ago, the LSST team received significant funding from key supporters, including Charles Simonyi and Bill Gates. The installation of the camera marks the final major hurdle in construction and is a testament to the technical prowess and dedication of the entire team.
The LSST Camera is the largest digital camera ever built, comprising 189 high-resolution CCD image sensors arranged across 21 separate rafts. When operational, it will capture ultra-high-resolution photos of the cosmos for the next decade, fueling breakthrough discoveries on dark energy and dark matter.
“We look forward to seeing the unprecedented images this camera will produce,” said Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The camera installation is a triumph of science and engineering, with the team now commencing final tests over the coming weeks.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2025/03/14/worlds-largest-camera-is-ready-to-take-its-first-3200-megapixel-photos-of-the-universe