NASA has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with its latest observatory, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in Chile’s Atacama Desert. By utilizing one of the most powerful telescopes on the planet, scientists have captured galaxies that were previously unseen due to light traveling billions of years to Earth. This achievement is made possible by the speed of light and the telescope’s massive size.
The concept of light-speed is closely tied to our perception of the world. In space, light travels at nearly 300 million meters per second, making it impossible for humans to reach that speed without altering time itself. However, telescopes have enabled us to explore distant galaxies without having to travel at such incredible velocities.
NASA’s Vera Rubin Observatory has made history by recording the first light from the universe, with its flagship mission, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), set to span a decade. The observatory features an enormous 28-foot-wide primary mirror and is equipped with the largest digital camera ever built, weighing roughly 300 tons.
In its first year alone, the observatory is expected to gather more data than all previous ground-based optical observatories combined. Recently released images showcase its capabilities, capturing two nebulae over 4,000 light-years from Earth in a single exposure. The detailed view represents just 2% of Rubin’s full imaging frame.
Researchers emphasize that Rubin’s importance lies not only in its size or sensitivity but also in its ability to bring all these capabilities together. With the ability to capture a wide swath of sky with clarity and speed unmatched before, Rubin holds its own against space-based instruments like Hubble and JWST.
The observatory boasts 9.6 square degrees of imaging coverage per exposure, significantly faster than other ground-based telescopes. While it has room for improvement, Rubin’s unique strengths make it an invaluable tool in the field of astronomy, expanding our understanding of the universe and its vast mysteries.
Source: https://www.ecoportal.net/en/nasa-10%E2%80%91year-universe-movie/11096