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Picture Courtesy:  INDIAN EXPRESS

Context:

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile unveils the first wide‑field, ultra‑high‑resolution images from its groundbreaking 3.2‑gigapixel camera.

About the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

It is named after Vera C. Rubin, an American astronomer. In the 1970s, Rubin provided the first significant evidence for the existence of dark matter.

The Observatory partners with both the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

It will continuously scan the Southern Hemisphere sky for 10 years.

Each night, the observatory will gather about 20 terabytes of astronomical data. Its specialized software will automatically compare new images with older ones. For every change detected in the sky, it will generate an estimated 10 million alerts nightly.

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About Simonyi Survey Telescope

The Simonyi Survey Telescope is the centerpiece of the Rubin observatory.

This device is unique for three main reasons:

• Wide Field View => Most telescopes, like the Hubble Space Telescope or the James Webb Space Telescope, offer a very narrow "straw-like" view of space. In contrast, the Simonyi Survey Telescope provides an exceptionally wide field of view, allowing it to capture vast areas of the sky at once.
• Largest Digital Camera => It features the world's largest digital camera. This camera is about the size of a small car, weighs 2,800 kg, and boasts an astonishing resolution of 3,200 megapixels.
• Rapid Movement => The Simonyi Survey Telescope is the fastest-slewing telescope globally. It can move and settle from one target to another in just five seconds. This speed is possible due to its compact design, which uses three mirrors, and its mount, which floats on a film of oil.

What are the primary scientific goals of the observatory?

While galaxies, stars, and planets make up only about 5% of the universe, dark energy accounts for approximately 68%, and dark matter about 27% . These mysterious components greatly influence how the universe behaves and evolves, and the Rubin Observatory will help scientists study their nature.

Source: 

INDIAN EXPRESS