Vera C. Rubin Observatory to Begin LSST Survey
Key Questions
What is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's LSST survey?
The 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time will use a 3,200-megapixel camera to map the southern sky repeatedly, discovering millions of asteroids and advancing dark matter and transient studies.
How many new solar system objects has Rubin already found?
During commissioning, the observatory identified 11,000 new solar system objects, including 380 outer solar system bodies that help correct long-standing catalog biases.
What planetary defense implications does Rubin data have?
Rubin has exposed decades-old asteroid orbit biases that could affect planetary defense assessments, prompting updates to existing catalogs and risk models.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is days away from launching its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). With a 3,200-megapixel camera, it will map the entire southern sky, discover millions of new asteroids, and transform dark matter mapping and transient astronomy. Already 11,000 new solar system objects found during commissioning.