First stunning space images revealed by World’s Largest Telescope Camera

Amid the serene silence of the Chilean Andes, the stars have finally met their match. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has shared its first-ever images, sparking excitement among astronomers worldwide. These visuals offer a glimpse into what many expect will be a decade of remarkable cosmic exploration.

The observatory, perched atop Cerro Pachón at 8,900 feet, captured stunning panoramas and time-lapse videos. Images of the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae—made from over 600 exposures—were among the highlights. With the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy, Rubin's debut marked a significant moment for space science.

This image is a composite of 678 separate exposures captured by the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory over just seven hours of observation. By stacking multiple images, faint details become visible—such as the gas and dust clouds forming the Trifid Nebula (top right) and the Lagoon Nebula. Both lie several thousand light-years from Earth. (Image: Vera C. Rubin Observatory)

A Decade-Long Survey Begins
Later this year, the Rubin Observatory will launch its Legacy Survey of Space and Time. This 10-year project aims to scan the entire southern sky every three to four nights. Using an 8.4-metre telescope and a rapid 39-second imaging cycle, it will take 800 images each night.

Over the decade, Rubin is expected to detect 10 million supernovas and 20 billion galaxies. It may also spot rogue planets, distant comets, and 90% of hazardous asteroids over 140 metres wide. Every night, it will collect around 20 terabytes of data—more than any other telescope has done before.

This image captures a small portion of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s full view of the Virgo Cluster. It features two striking spiral galaxies (lower right), three merging galaxies (upper right), several distant galaxy groups, numerous Milky Way stars, and more. (Image: VERA C. RUBIN OBSERVATORY)

Its unique three-mirror design offers a wide view—equivalent to seven full moons. These detailed images will help scientists observe changes in space over seconds, days, and years. The observatory will effectively create the world’s most detailed cosmic time-lapse.

A Telescope Built for Change
Named after Vera C. Rubin, who helped confirm dark matter's existence, the observatory continues her legacy. Its mission includes studying dark energy, exploding stars, and the life cycle of galaxies. The data could improve models of stellar death and cosmic expansion.

This image reveals a small part of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s wider view of the Virgo Cluster. Bright Milky Way stars shine in the foreground, with countless distant galaxies visible in the background. (Image: Vera C. Rubin Observatory)

The $168 million LSST camera captures 3,200-megapixel images. It's fitted with six optical filters, allowing views across ultraviolet to near-infrared light. This car-sized camera can produce images large enough to fill 378 4K screens.

With AI and fibre-optic tech, Rubin will alert astronomers about new discoveries in just two minutes. During peak operation, it could send 10 million alerts per night, each flagging an object’s sudden movement or change in brightness.

Watching the Universe in Motion
According to scientists at Rubin, astronomy has long provided still images—but the universe never stays still. The observatory’s real-time tracking will finally allow us to see the sky in motion, not just in snapshots. By capturing the light of millions of supernovas, Rubin will help decode the universe’s deepest mysteries.