A giant telescope, Vera C. Rubin Observatory, has begun a decade-long search for answers about dark matter and the universe’s expansion. Located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the observatory uses its massive digital camera to take images of the sky every 30 seconds. Over 10 years, these images are stitched together to create a comprehensive dataset that will help astronomers understand dark matter and dark energy.
The telescope’s unique feature is its ability to cover large areas of the sky quickly and deeply. This allows scientists to study galaxies, planets, asteroids, and other objects in unprecedented detail. The data will also help them measure the properties of dark matter, which holds galaxies together but doesn’t emit or reflect light.
One technique used by astronomers is to track stars left behind when small galaxies collide with the Milky Way. By studying these collisions, scientists can infer important properties like speed and density. The telescope’s filters also capture information on brightness and color, which provide clues about temperature and distance.
The 10-year survey will help scientists measure dark energy, a phenomenon causing the universe to expand at an accelerating rate. Their goal is to make accurate measurements of the expansion history and rule out models for what dark energy might be.
This project is a result of decades of collaboration between researchers and institutions, including the National Science Foundation and the Energy Department. The observatory’s director, Bob Blum, has been working on this project since 1998, making it one of the most ambitious and long-term astronomical surveys in history.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/interactive/2026/06/30/giant-telescope-goes-decade-long-search-dark-matter