Announcement: Vera C. Rubin Observatory

15 Febrero 2024: After intense discussions, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee has agreed to include an item on its provisional agenda for the next five years with the title “Dark and Quiet Skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues and challenges”. As the UN’s top body for space-related matters, with delegates from more than 102 countries, COPUOS deals with all topics related to international cooperation and the exploration of space and planetary bodies, including the deployment of satellites, space debris mitigation, the long-term sustainability of space and the use of orbital slots. The proposal, championed by Chile and Spain — both countries hosting significant international astronomy infrastructure — and the astronomy community, received widespread support and was co-signed by several delegations [1]. The International Astronomical Union (IAU), European Southern Observatory (ESO), European Astronomical Society (EAS), and Square Kilometre Array Observatory …

14 Febrero 2024: Project & Science News The fourth in a series of Rubin science releases showcasing Rubin’s upcoming contributions to various areas of astronomy and astrophysics is now available. Read (in English or Spanish) and share “Rubin Observatory will Inspire a New Era in Space Missions without Ever Leaving the Ground,” on rubinobservatory.org. Following the removal of the Primary/Tertiary (M1M3) mirror cell from the Telescope Mount Assembly (TMA) in mid-January, its mass surrogate was re-installed on the TMA to enable dynamic testing towards final verification and closeout of the contract with the Spanish consortium UTE. Meanwhile, the M1M3 cell is now on the maintenance floor of the summit facility where the internal actuator supports and other hardware are being removed in preparation for a final test of the process to coat the mirror. The M1M3 surrogate mirror was washed last week (photo) to prepare for placing it under vacuum in the coating …

13 Febrero 2024: The NOIRLab Ambassador Program, launched in May 2023, aims to increase public engagement with NOIRLab and its Programs, including Vera C. Rubin Observatory Construction, by working together with motivated and enthusiastic volunteers to share our mission and science with new audiences. A major milestone for the program has been achieved with the selection of the first thirty ambassadors! The new ambassadors represent a diverse, personable, creative, and enthusiastic group of individuals with a range of skills who have an interest in promoting NOIRLab’s scientific discoveries, education initiatives, and activities to the public. Over the next 12 months they will contribute to NOIRLab and Rubin in a variety of ways including audiovisual (images and video), music, art (including crafts), education, social media and advocacy for dark skies. In all, seven audiovisual ambassadors, ten social media ambassadors, two music ambassadors, 13 education ambassadors, one dark skies ambassador and two art ambassadors were …

31 Enero 2024: Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP), in which NSF’s NOIRLab is a partner. To apply, visit the ACEAP website. This program, now in its ninth year, brings amateur astronomers, planetarium personnel, and formal and informal astronomy educators to US-funded astronomy observatories in Chile, including Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) and the International Gemini Observatory, both Programs of NOIRLab. While there, ambassadors receive behind-the-scenes tours of some of the world’s most productive and advanced telescopes, including in-depth information on their instruments and discoveries. Prior to the ACEAP Expedition, participants engage in professional development activities designed to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) communication and education. The aim of ACEAP is to share the wonders of astronomy with students, the general public, and space enthusiasts, while building awareness of the amazing resources and facilities in Chile and the data they produce that …

25 Enero 2024: Project & Science News Rubin Observatory leadership and team members joined more than 3000 scientists, students, and astronomy enthusiasts at the American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting (AAS#243) January 7-11 in New Orleans, LA. During the meeting, Rubin hosted an exhibit booth, a well-attended session on Early Science with LSST, and a Town Hall (the slides from the science session and the Town Hall are available on Zenodo). Read more about the meeting in this news post, and view photos in the Gallery. The Survey Cadence Optimization Committee (SCOC) announces “Rubin ToO 2024: Envisioning the Vera C. Rubin Observatory LSST Target of Opportunity program,” a workshop that will take place in Berkeley, CA and online on March 18-20. More information and a link to register are available on the meeting website. On Cerro Pachón last week, the summit team removed the Primary/Tertiary Mirror (M1M3) cell and surrogate mirror from the Telescope …

17 Enero 2024: The sixth (January 2024) edition of The NOIRLab Mirror newsletter is now available. This biannual publication focuses on news for the NOIRLab community and showcases the science, technology, and developments across the five NOIRLab Programs: the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), and Vera C. Rubin Observatory Operations. The January 2024 issue features a collection of science highlights spanning the breadth of NOIRLab facilities and Programs, a recap of the October 2023 IAU Symposium #385 “Astronomy and Satellite Constellations: Pathways Forward,” the launch of the Cool Neighbors Citizen Science Project, a look back on the 2023 La Serena School for Data Science, an announcement of the International Gemini Observatory’s Long-Range Strategic Vision for the 2030s, an overview of NOIRLab’s public visits program, and much more. The NOIRLab Mirror is free and notifications of the release of …

19 Diciembre 2023: Project and Science News The end of 2023 is nearly upon us, another year has flown by with significant progress towards our goal to complete Rubin Observatory and launch the Legacy Survey of Space and Time! We wish you happy holidays and we hope you enjoy Rubin’s 2023 holiday card. Save the date: The Rubin Community Workshop is being planned for the week of July 22-26, 2024 at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This meeting will have an emphasis on Rubin LSST science and the needs of the community, which is a shift in focus compared to the Project and Community Workshops (PCWs) of the previous years, though there will still be project updates and opportunities to interact with project staff. More information will be distributed soon. Members of the Rubin team are preparing for the American Astronomical Society (AAS) winter meeting (AAS#243) in New Orleans on January 7-11. The Rubin …

13 Diciembre 2023: Paul Palma from Alianza Austral School in Coyhaique has won the 2023 AURA Padre Picetti Prize, an annual initiative started in 2014 by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) that seeks to recognize leading teachers in Chile who demonstrate a special dedication towards astronomy and encouraging new generations of scientists. In addition to a commemorative award, Palma was presented with an 8-inch dobsonian telescope and a visit to Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab, where he toured the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope. The award ceremony took place at the AURA Recinto Office in La Serena and was led by the Vice-President and Head of Mission of AURA in Chile, Alejandra Voigt. Additionally, Claudia Tello and Angelo Leita, the principal and vice-principal of Seminario Conciliar School in La Serena where father Juan Bautista Picetti, the inspiration behind this prize, once worked, also participated …

8 Diciembre 2023: For the first time since 2017, the US Ambassador to Chile has visited Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab, and Cerro Pachón to see first-hand the telescopes devoted to astronomical research in the Coquimbo Region. Accompanied by AURA’s Director in Chile Alejandra Voigt and NOIRLab staff, Ambassador Bernadette Meehan toured several of AURA’s facilities, including part of the International Gemini Observatory, the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope and Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction at Cerro Pachón. This visit took place as a part of the celebration of 200 years of official relations between Chile and the US. The work that AURA’s facilities conduct, with backing from the National Science Foundation, is an example of the extensive history of collaboration between the two countries. At Cerro Pachón Meehan learned about the progress of the Rubin Observatory project and saw the structure of the telescope, which …

5 Diciembre 2023: Project and Science News The third Rubin science release, “Rubin Observatory Will Unlock Fossil Record of Galaxy Cluster Evolution,” is now available on rubinobservatory.org. Please share this story with your networks to help generate excitement about Rubin science. A meeting of the AURA Management Council for Rubin Observatory (AMCR) took place in La Serena, Chile, on November 29th - December 1st. In addition to construction progress updates and a discussion about developing First Light celebration plans, the Council enjoyed a tour of the Rubin summit facility. The last time this group toured the site was in September 2019, so there was lots of progress to show. Photos from the summit tour are available in the Gallery. Rubin Observatory hosted a summit visit from Bernadette M. Meehan, US Ambassador to the Republic of Chile, on December 1. After Ambassador Meehan toured the observatory and spoke with members of the Rubin team, …

15 Noviembre 2023: Project and Science News November is Native American Heritage Month, and LGBTQ + STEM day is coming up on November 18th. Rubin celebrates the contributions of all our diverse staff and community members! Contact our Workplace Culture Advocate team if you’d like assistance connecting with resources and allies in the Rubin community, or if you have suggestions for how to make Rubin more inclusive. On the summit, the Rubin Commissioning Camera (ComCam) was reinstalled on the Telescope Mount Assembly (TMA) on November 3rd, using the newly-repaired dome crane ComCam had been removed in early August to allow the installation of the M2 cell and surrogate mirror and some additional electronics packaging upgrades for better in-situ maintenance. The recent re-installation (photos here) went about twice as quickly as the initial task, now that the team has its procedures well-established, and they worked extremely well together to achieve a precise and safe …

31 Octubre 2023: Project and Science News October 31st is Dark Matter Day, a globally recognized day to celebrate dark matter research and discovery. In case you missed it, Rubin recently published this science release about Rubin’s forthcoming contribution to the study of dark matter and dark energy. Plans are underway for the Rubin Observatory presence at the American Astronomical Society meeting (AAS243) in New Orleans, January 7-11, 2024. Rubin will host a mid-day Town Hall on Thursday, January 11th, and staff an exhibit booth throughout the meeting. If you’ll be attending the meeting, stop by the booth for a chance to win some limited-edition swag! We’re excited to learn that Vera C. Rubin is one of five notable American women who will be featured in the 2025 American Women Quarters™ Program. Quarters honoring these women will be manufactured by the Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver and circulated in 2025. Read more …

30 Octubre 2023: On 18 October 2023 Chile issued a new lighting standard to protect the country’s clear, dark skies, which are valued by a large selection of the world’s astronomical infrastructure, including NSF's NOIRLab. Established by the Chilean Ministry of the Environment, this new standard expands on the existing decree that was established in 2012 with the objective of preserving the astronomical quality of the night skies in the Regions of Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo. The new Norma Luminica, formally titled Supreme Decree No. 1 of 2022, is a revision of Supreme Decree No. 43 of 2012 that expands the scope of regulations on light-emitting sources to the entire country of Chile. And not only does it protect the night skies for astronomical observations, but it also incorporates the protection of biodiversity and human health as environmental objectives. The new Norma Luminica includes regulations on the brightness of industrial lighting, placing limits …

18 Octubre 2023: Together with the other Maunakea Observatories (MKOs), the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF's NOIRLab, celebrated AstroDay Kona with families and friends of all ages on Saturday 7 October 2023. A free event held outdoors at the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona, AstroDay Kona provided an estimated 400 visitors with the opportunity to learn about the Universe and the spectacular discoveries made by Gemini and the other telescopes on Maunakea. Like the Annual AstroDay in Hilo each May, this event is led by the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy. To share the wonders of the cosmos that inspire astronomy research, observatory staff presented the community with special science demonstrations and activities, informative exhibitions, including dozens of free images, the NOIRLab virtual tour and an infrared camera demonstration. “This event is a great opportunity for us to reach the public across Hawai‘i Island and broaden our geographical reach significantly,” …

17 Octubre 2023: Project and Science News Rubin Construction management staff gathered for a workshop on October 4th to discuss the schedule impact of recent challenges concerning the Camera and the integration of components on the summit. A detailed announcement from Project leadership is available on community.lsst.org, and an updated version of RTN-011 – Early Science will be issued shortly. The second Rubin science release, “Rubin Observatory will Help Unravel Mysteries of Dark Matter & Dark Energy,” is now available on rubinobservatory.org. We encourage you to share this story with your networks to help us generate excitement about Rubin science. The summit team continues to stay busy and productive while the overhead dome crane, which failed in September, is being repaired. Recent activities include installing the rack-and-pinion permanent dome rotation system, fixing oil leaks and improving the pipe fittings for the TMA azimuth braking system, and completing a straightforward but time-consuming repair project …

6 Octubre 2023: Yesterday 5 October 2023 the President of Chile Gabriel Boric visited the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) to meet with management and to reaffirm Chile's commitment to astronomy, and the protection of dark skies. The President was accompanied by Minister for the Environment Maisa Rojas and Aisén Etcheverry, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. While touring the inside of the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope enclosure they were briefed about the history of the AURA Observatory in Chile and the continued discoveries at CTIO done by the science community in Chile, US and beyond. The group saw Cerro Pachón in the distance, the location of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Gemini South of the International Gemini Observatory and the SOAR Telescope, and talked about the ongoing cutting-edge research at all of our flagship facilities and the new windows that will be open by Rubin. The dignitaries were greeted by …

2 Octubre 2023: Scientists, including astronomers from the International Astronomical Union Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS), have published a paper in Nature assessing the detailed impact of the BlueWalker 3 satellite on astronomy. Building on initial observations from shortly after its launch, these new results complement the initial understanding of this unusual satellite and the paper contains details of how the satellite’s brightness changes over time and the visibility of jettisoned hardware. With companies intending to deploy more commercial satellites in the coming years, this paper highlights the need for pre-launch impact assessments. “The interference of satellites in astronomy has become an increasingly pressing issue over the last few years,” commented first author Sangeetha Nandakumar from the Instituto de Astronomía y Ciencias Planetarias, Universidad de Atacama Chile. BlueWalker 3 was launched into low Earth orbit on 10 September 2022 by AST SpaceMobile …

26 Septiembre 2023: Project and Science News September has been a busy month for VIP visits to the summit. Rubin Construction and Operations leadership hosted a group from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on September 13-14 (photo here). The previous week, the Mayor of Vicuña toured the summit site along with VIP attendees of the first World Astro-tourism Summit (held September 6-9 in Vicuña). Several more groups are scheduled to visit the observatory in October. The Rubin Auxiliary Telescope (AuxTel) was recently outfitted with several new hardware components, which the AuxTel team has been testing in observing runs. One component is a mask for spectroscopy, which helps limit sky background and the impact of field stars in the spectrum, making analysis easier and more precise. Another addition is a specific device for flat-fielding for spectroscopy, and a third is a new hologram which is almost identical to the one currently in use — …

7 Septiembre 2023: Project and Science News This year’s NSF/DOE Joint Status Review (JSR) for Rubin Construction took place August 22-25 in Tucson, AZ. Rubin leadership and team leads gave presentations summarizing current and remaining work on various aspects of Rubin, and participated in detailed discussions with review committee members in subsequent breakout sessions. The official report containing the review committee’s recommendations will be delivered to Rubin leadership in the coming weeks. A photo from the review is available in the Gallery. The Survey Scheduling Team announces the release of a new OpSim output, “baseline_v3.2_10yrs.db,” which illustrates the baseline v3.2 survey strategy for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). The v3.2 survey strategy is an evolution of the v3.0 survey strategy recommendations from the Survey Cadence Optimization Committee (SCOC). Learn more on community.lsst.org. Major integrations on the summit continued with the installation of the secondary mirror (M2) cell and surrogate mirror …

5 Septiembre 2023: SatCons 101, a new educational curriculum for learning about the design of large satellite constellations and their impact on astronomy, has been launched by the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS), co-hosted by the NSF’s NOIRLab and the SKA Observatory (SKAO) on behalf of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). While satellite constellations unquestionably bring social benefits, such as broadband communication and Global Position Systems (GPS), they can also have negative impacts on astronomy and the environment. To educate interested parties about these issues, SatCons 101 presents eight video modules designed to teach the fundamentals of satellite constellations. Topics covered are their design, their purpose, their impact on optical/infrared and radio astronomy, and international regulations on their use of space. The curriculum is designed to be unbiased, presenting participants with data and facts that will help bring awareness …