Rubin Observatory launches ambitious quest to reveal universe's secrets

• Its goal is to create the most extensive record of the universe, described as "the greatest cosmic movie ever made."
• Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the observatory will scan the entire southern sky every few nights.
• Scientists expect the project to reveal new asteroids, supernovas, and clues about dark matter and dark energy.

A groundbreaking telescope's decade-long campaign to observe the cosmos like never before is officially underway.

For scientists, the milestone promises the enticing potential of unlocking secrets of the universe that have long remained elusive. And for the rest of us, well, get ready for years and years of one more source of jaw-dropping photos of the known universe.

Located in Chile and managed by the U.S., the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has embarked on its signature campaign to create history's most extensive record of the universe. Or, as one official put it in a June 30 press release, "the greatest cosmic movie ever made."

For the next 10 years, the Rubin Observatory will bring outer space to life in ways previously impossible, unveiling stars, supernovas, galaxies and plenty more.

Here's everything to know, as well as a look at some of the photos Rubin has already captured.

What is special about the Vera C. Rubin Observatory?

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will spend the next decade exploring the mysteries of the cosmos in unprecedented detail. 

Named for famed astronomer Vera Rubin, best known for discovering evidence of dark matter, the observatory is equipped with a specially designed large telescope and a car-sized digital camera. Each image taken by the 3,200-megapixel camera – the largest of its kind in the world – covers an area on the sky as big as 45 full moons, according to astronomers.

The National Science Foundation jointly funds and operates the observatory with the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Where is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory located?

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is perched on a mountain in northern Chile in the foothills of the Andes – a location astronomers say is both high and dry enough to provide clear skies for observing the universe.

Groundbreaking observatory begins decade-long cosmic mission

More than a year after it was first introduced to the public, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has finally officially begun its 10-year mission of observing and collecting data on the southern night sky in our Milky Way and beyond.

The observatory’s main objective is creating its "Legacy Survey of Space and Time," an ultrawide and ultra-high-definition movie of the universe made by scanning the entire sky every few nights. Now that it is taking thousands of images a day, the observatory will eventually create a time-lapse record serving as "the largest astronomical movie of all time," according to its website.

Plenty of cosmic wonders are expected to be revealed by the telescope, including thousands of previously unseen asteroids, exploding supernova stars and millions of distant galaxies. The telescope may also reveal clues about mysterious dark matter and dark energy.

"By seeking to understand the enigmatic phenomena of dark energy and dark matter, we are not just observing the stars; we are striving to grasp the fundamental laws that govern our existence,” Darío Gil, under secretary for science at the U.S. Department of Energy, said in a statement.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory images

Rubin Observatory spots asteroids, more in 1st year

Even though it's only now beginning its signature campaign, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has been busy since it was first introduced to the public in June 2025.

In February, officials unveiled an alert system tied to the telescope that allows scientists to be notified of major finds nearly in real-time so they can quickly coordinate follow-up observations. Millions of alerts have been issued since then that stream to automated systems that sort and classify each astronomical event and change in the night sky observed.

More recently, Rubin discovered more than 11,000 never-before-seen asteroids, including 33 near-Earth objects and 380 trans-Neptunian objects orbiting beyond the planet Neptune. The find came after the observatory's camera also helped to identify in January a massive asteroid nearly the size of eight football fields that was confirmed to be the fastest-spinning large asteroid ever found.

In June, the Rubin Observatory also unveiled a vast cosmic image dubbed "ocean of stars." The striking image peers through the Milky Way at millions of multi-colored stars appearing against a backdrop of galaxies.

The scene is one of many scientists will revisit over the next decade with Rubin to track major changes.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]