Stony Brook University is actively participating in the work at the newly constructed Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on Cerro Pachón in Chile. The observatory recently unveiled its first set of ultra-high-definition images and videos during an event in Washington D.C., marking a significant milestone for the project.
The Rubin Observatory aims to capture detailed cosmic images using the largest camera ever built. Over ten years, it will repeatedly scan the sky to create the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), which will serve as a comprehensive time-lapse record of the night sky. The LSST's science goals include exploring transient phenomena, mapping both the Solar System and Milky Way galaxy, and advancing cosmology by investigating dark matter and dark energy.
Stony Brook University's involvement focuses on cosmology. Researchers from Stony Brook are part of two major collaborations: the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) and the LSST Strong Lensing Science Collaboration (SLSC). "The known part of our universe comprises only ~5%," said Chang Kee Jung, distinguished professor at Stony Brook University. He emphasized that dark energy and dark matter make up 95% of the universe, yet their nature remains unknown.
Anja von der Linden, an associate professor at Stony Brook and member of DESC since 2012, highlighted Rubin's capacity to image "the entire southern night sky in only three nights" repeatedly over ten years. This effort will produce vast amounts of data daily, contributing significantly to astronomical research.
Faculty members such as Simon Birrer and Vivian Miranda also play crucial roles within these collaborations. Birrer noted that Rubin would be transformative for strong lensing science due to its ability to identify numerous gravitational lenses.
Early career researchers from Stony Brook are deeply involved with this project as well. Post-doctoral scholar Dr. Narayan Khadka is preparing for his role as a Rubin Observing Specialist in Chile, while several graduate students are gearing up for cosmological analyses with LSST data.
Several Stony Brook graduates have transitioned into roles directly connected with Rubin's operations in Chile or related programs within the Department of Energy.