World's Largest Digital Camera Starts Recording the Universe
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun its Legacy Survey of Space and Time, capturing 3200-megapixel images every 40 seconds. Over 10 years, it will take 7.88 million photos of the sky, weighing 3 tons. The $800 million project is jointly funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.
Key points
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a 6,600-pound camera, has started recording the universe from Chile.
- It will capture 3200-megapixel images every 40 seconds, taking 7.88 million photos over 10 years.
- The $800 million project is jointly funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.
- Željko Ivezić, head of LSST, said the launch followed extensive system optimization and technical readiness checks.
- The camera will return to each patch of sky roughly 800 times, building a living record of celestial change.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a massive digital camera, has begun its ambitious Legacy Survey of Space and Time in Chile. This project marks the start of a decade-long cosmic recording, capturing 3200-megapixel images every 40 seconds. The camera's sheer size, weighing 3 tons, is a testament to its capabilities.
The $800 million project is a joint effort between the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. Željko Ivezić, head of LSST, emphasized the importance of extensive system optimization and technical readiness checks before the launch. The camera's performance will be monitored closely to ensure it meets the required standards.
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time aims to build a comprehensive record of celestial change over the coming decade. With its incredible resolution and frequency of capture, this project promises to reveal new insights into the universe. As the world's largest digital camera begins its work, scientists and astronomers eagerly await the discoveries that will emerge from this ambitious endeavor.
Sources
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