The first-ever images taken by the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera at the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory have just been unveiled, with additional images set to be shared later today.
Named after pioneering American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who provided convincing proof of the existence of vast amounts of unseen matter known as dark matter, this new facility — supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science — will showcase the initial full images and videos captured by the LSST camera during a live-streamed event in Washington, DC. The Rubin Observatory claims these images will reveal cosmic phenomena at an extraordinary scale.

The images of celestial bodies shared today, along with those forthcoming, illustrate the advanced capabilities of the new telescope in anticipation of the upcoming decade-long survey of the southern sky. According to the Rubin Observatory team, within just 10 hours of initial observations, the observatory has already documented millions of galaxies and stars from the Milky Way, as well as thousands of asteroids. The team indicates this is only a glimpse of its planned 10-year scientific endeavor.

The image above, displaying the Trifid and Lagoon nebulas, encompasses about 1.3 times the field of view from the Rubin Observatory. In contrast, the image beneath it represents only 1/15th (or 7%) of the observatory’s field of view. The subsequent photo is a mere 1/50th (or just 2%) of Rubin’s view. Grasping the resolution and scale of these images may be challenging, and PetaPixel will provide a comprehensive explanation later this week, including a complete tour of the Rubin Observatory and an in-depth examination of these new visuals.

It’s noteworthy that these pictures do not show everything in full resolution; there is a lot more detail that can’t fit into one image. For illustration, below is a 100% crop of the central area of the Lagoon Nebula:
Next is a 100% crop of a section from the Virgo Cluster image:
“The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory showcases America’s leadership in global basic science and exemplifies the extraordinary outcomes when various facets of national research collaborate,” states Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “The Rubin Observatory is a forward-looking investment that lays the groundwork for our future—knowledge today will be the foundation for future generations.”

The Rubin Observatory is touted as the most effective and efficient discovery machine ever built. Each night, it will capture nearly a thousand images of the Southern Hemisphere’s sky, allowing it to survey the entire visible region every three to four nights.
“The NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory will gather more insights about our universe than all of history’s optical telescopes combined,” notes Brian Stone, who is acting as the NSF director. “This extraordinary scientific institution will delve into numerous cosmic secrets, including the dark matter and dark energy that fill the universe.”
“We are entering a remarkable era of American science,” asserts Harriet Kung, acting director of the DOE’s Office of Science. “The NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory encapsulates what can be achieved when federal support empowers outstanding engineers and scientists with the necessary resources. This facility is set to spark discoveries, motivate future innovators, and highlight American excellence in scientific leadership.”

The Rubin Observatory and its LSST camera represent over 20 years of dedicated effort. Completed last year, the camera is the largest ever constructed.
This advanced 3.2 gigapixel wide-field optical camera has a large aperture and can detect light from near-ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths. It consists of 189 charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors organized into 21 three-by-three square arrays positioned on structures known as rafts.
The camera was transported from the SLAC Laboratory in Stanford, California, to the summit of Cerro Pachón in Chile, where the cutting-edge Rubin Observatory is located. The dry, dark skies there rank among the best sites globally for astronomical observations. The system was fully operational as of March.

“Rubin’s innovative 8.4-meter telescope features the largest digital camera ever constructed, powering a robust data processing system. In late 2025, Rubin will launch its key project, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which will continuously scan the sky every night for a decade to meticulously document every observable change,” stated the Observatory team.

“The result will be an extensive, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe. This will animate the night sky with a wealth of potential discoveries. These images will uncover asteroids, comets, fluctuating stars, supernovae, distant galaxies, and possibly cosmic phenomena that have never been witnessed before.”
The LSST camera at the Rubin Observatory stands out. Unlike the famous Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, the Rubin Observatory is known for its extremely high resolution and broad field of view. This capability allows it to gather significantly more information than any previous telescope, providing scientists and astronomers access to vast amounts of data.

The team at the Rubin Observatory asserts that the data collected in its initial year will exceed the total gathered by all other optical observatories combined.
“This wealth of data will enable scientists to make numerous discoveries regarding the universe and will serve as an invaluable resource for scientific inquiry for many years ahead,” the observatory team indicates. “Investigating the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and other significant cosmic enigmas is a fundamental aspect of Rubin Observatory’s mission. Dark energy refers to the extraordinary and enigmatic force that seems to be driving galaxies in the universe away from each other at an increasing rate. Even though dark matter and dark energy make up 95% of the universe, their characteristics largely remain a mystery.”