The largest digital camera ever built has released its first glamour shots of the universe
The observatory hopes to image 20 billion galaxies and discover new asteroids and other celestial objects.
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The effort is named after astronomer Vera Rubin, who offered the first tantalizing evidence that a mysterious force called dark matter might be lurking in the universe. Researchers hope the observatory's discerning camera may yield clues about this elusive entity along with another called dark energy.
This image provided by the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory shows 678 separate images taken by the observatory in just over seven hours of observing time.
Uncredited/Associated Press
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World's Biggest Camera May Find 50 Interstellar Objects, Scientists Say
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On June 3, New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy initiative and the American Association for Community Colleges held a joint briefing on Capitol Hill titled, 'Not Just Universities: How NSF Funding Opens Community College Pathways to the Future of Work and the American Dream.' The briefing was sponsored by the bipartisan Congressional R&D Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Bill Foster, a Democrat from Illinois, and Rep. Jim Baird, a Republican from Indiana. The briefing featured research from New America around the role of the NSF in supporting capacity-building of community colleges around advanced and emerging technology fields that the administration has proclaimed as a White House priority. Community college graduates, presidents and administrators, and employer partners shared front-line experiences accounting for the NSF's support for workforce development and education in emerging industries. Judy Marouf, a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College, shared about her experiences in an NSF-funded product design incubator while a student which gave her tools to design and pitch a mobile app from mentorship to public speaking skills. David Shahoulian, Director of Workforce and Governmental Policy at Intel, vouched for the NSF from a business lens. Speaking on the panel, Shahoulian called the NSF a 'great taxpayer investment' because of the funding that the private sector matches to create programs that meet their needs, but also have a public benefit. In addition to its direct investments in community college AI education, Intel has co-invested with NSF in workforce training, alongside other industry partners such as Micron and GlobalFoundries. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), co-chair of the Congressional R&D Caucus, addresses attendees of a briefing ... More held by New America and the American Association of Community Colleges. 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On the heels of the NSF's FY 2026 Budget Request to Congress which detailed a 75% cut to the NSF's STEM education directorate in addition to an overall halving of the agency budget, speakers emphasized the differentiated role of NSF funding compared to other workforce funding programs. Daniel Phelan, President of Jackson College in Michigan, described how NSF funding allowed his college to strengthen its internal infrastructure for advanced industries, including blockchain technologies. 'This kind of funding is unique,' Phelan said, 'unlike general operational dollars or categorical state aid, NSF-ATE grants are strategic and catalytic. They drive us to collaborate closely with industry, adapt our curriculum in real time, and deliver tangible outcomes for students, for employers, and for the broader economy.' 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A fireball streaks across the morning sky above NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program ... More of NSF NOIRLab funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. What's a summer without a meteor shower? If lying underneath a sky full of stars waiting for meteors is your thing, summer in the Northern Hemisphere brings one not-to-be-missed opportunity — the Perseids. Sadly, that's not the case this year, with an almost full moon destined to bleach the sky so much that barely any of its 75-100 'shooting stars' per hour will be visible. Luckily, there are other summer meteor showers, and it just so happens that the peak night for two others overlaps with the best night to see at least a hint of the Perseids. From the famed Perseid meteor shower to the fireball-prone Alpha Capricornids and the reliable Delta Aquariids, here's everything you need to know about seeing 'shooting stars' this summer with this ultimate guide to meteor showers in summer 2025. Perseids: Summer's Moonstruck Meteor Shower The Perseid meteor shower is the most anticipated celestial event of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, but in 2025, special care is required to avoid disappointment. Active from July 17 to Aug. 23, the Perseids peak overnight on Aug. 12–13. In 2025, however, stargazers face a challenge: a full sturgeon moon on Aug. 9 will still be bright enough to outshine all but the brightest meteors during the peak. Here's the rub — ignore the peak night and instead opt for two moonless nights as close as possible to it: July 29–30 and August 15-16. On both occasions, you'll likely get a modest showing of Perseids — about 5 to 15 meteors per hour — but under truly dark, moonless skies. Even at lower rates, the Perseids can impress. Known for fast, bright meteors with long trails, they radiate from the constellation Perseus in the northeast. However, you don't need to fixate on any one direction—its meteors, like all meteors, can appear anywhere in the sky. Plus, there's an additional reason to skywatch for "shooting stars" on July 29-30. Delta Aquariids And Alpha Capricornids Peaking on the same night as the Perseid's best early showing will be no fewer than two meteor showers — the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids. The Delta Aquariids will bring up to 25 faint meteors, but they're consistent and can be seen for a few nights on either side of the peak. Their radiant point lies near the constellation Aquarius in the southern sky. It's a similar story for the Alpha Capricornids, which also emanate from the southern sky in the constellation Capricornus. They'll number only five to 10 meteors per hour, but what they lack in numbers, they may make up for in spectacle because these slow, bright meteors can often be fireballs. Expert Advice On Seeing 'Shooting Stars' According to NASA, the best way to watch a meteor shower is to get out of the city, away from urban light pollution, to the darkest location you can find. A good option is a Dark Sky Place or a location that appears dark on a light pollution map. Allow at least 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and refrain from looking at your smartphone to allow your eyes to dark adapt. Have a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, a lawn chair or a blanket to lay down on, and do not try to use a telescope or binoculars — a rookie error that will hugely restrict your view. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
