Vera C. Rubin Observatory launches 10‑year deep‑sky survey in Chile

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory on Cerro Pachón in northern Chile has entered full scientific operation, beginning a decade‑long survey of the southern sky. Equipped with the world’s largest digital camera, the telescope will capture billions of stars and galaxies, producing hundreds of images each night to detect faint objects such as distant supernovae and asteroids. Czech astrophysicist Michael Prouza leads the Czech delegation, tasked with using the data to search for cosmic catastrophes and map small bodies in the Solar System.

The project experienced a year‑long commissioning period longer than planned due to technical challenges, including mirror‑cooling issues and several moderate earthquakes that required system adjustments. The observatory, funded by U.S. agencies NSF and DOE, aims to improve understanding of dark matter, dark energy and galaxy formation through its unprecedented depth and resolution.

Early data released in 2025 during the “First Light” events have already shown detailed images of the Lupus star field and iconic nebulae, highlighting the facility’s capability to transform astrophysical research worldwide.