The largest digital camera ever built releases its first shots of the universe
Article content
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on a mountaintop in Chile, was built to take a deeper look at the night sky, covering hidden corners. Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy, it will survey the southern sky for the next 10 years.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The observatory's first look features the vibrant Trifid and Lagoon nebulas, located thousands of light-years from Earth. A light-year is nearly 10 trillion kilometres. A gaggle of galaxies known as the Virgo Cluster were also captured, including two bright blue spirals.
Article content
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
What are the chances of Earth being hit by a big asteroid?
Social Sharing A week ago, the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory released its first images. It also included a video of all the asteroids it discovered. In just 10 hours, the Simonyi Survey Telescope with the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera captured more than 2,000 previously undetected asteroids. It's a reminder that, while there's a lot of space in space, our solar system still has a lot going on. Asteroids are rocks and debris left over from the formation of our solar system. There are two main areas where much of it is located. The first being the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The second is the Kuiper Belt, beyond the orbit of Neptune. But there are still many more floating around out there. WATCH | See a swarm of newly discovered asteroids See a swarm of new asteroids 7 days ago Duration 0:58 Scientists estimate that roughly 44 tonnes of meteoric debris fall toward Earth every day. That's right: every day. The good news is that most of it burns up in our atmosphere. But what are the chances that a much larger object is on a collision course with Earth? "Earth has been hit in the past by large asteroids, and presumably, if we waited long enough, something would happen. But the risk is very, very small," said Paul Weigert, a professor at Western University's department of physics and astronomy in London, Ont. "So none of the asteroids that we know about today have a significant chance of striking Earth in the next 100 years or so. So that's a pretty healthy time horizon." However, there's no guarantee that something that has thus far been undetected isn't on its way. "As we go beyond that, there's always the chance that we can discover new asteroids, of course, and they become not unpredictable, but harder to predict in great detail, at longer distances," Weigert added. The importance of being earnest There are numerous groups scanning the sky looking for asteroids, and Weigert said that the Vera C. Rubin Observatory ramps up the search like never before. "The Vera Rubin telescope is really going to revolutionize the way this kind of work is done. I think even people who knew what to expect, that knew this was coming down the pipeline, were impressed by the way LSST-Rubin was able really dive right in and start finding these things," he said. "So that's going to be a very impressive discovery machine going forward." NASA has found more than 1.4 billion asteroids, and believes it has identified more than 95 per cent of asteroids one kilometre or larger in our solar system. It's estimated that the Rubin observatory will discover 89,000 near-Earth objects and 3.7 million main-belt asteroids. Now, getting hit by an asteroid is a really a matter of odds. Smaller objects, such as asteroids about 10 metres in diameter impact Earth once a decade. While not planetary ending, they can break windows. The Chelyabinsk meteorite that exploded over Russia in 2013 was twice this size, and did indeed break windows, which injured roughly 1,500 people. The bigger the rock, the less often they impact Earth. For example, a 140-metre asteroid impacts Earth roughly once every 1,000 years and one that is about one kilometre in size impacts Earth roughly every 700,000 years. An asteroid that size would be devastating. The one that is believed to have killed off the dinosaurs was about 10 to 15 kilometres in size. Those impacts are estimated to happen about once every 100 million years. Jim Freemantle is project manager for the OSIRIS-REx laser altimeter project at York University in Toronto. OSIRIS-REx was the sample-return mission to the asteroid Bennu. He has a tiny piece of the asteroid in his lab. He believes it's important to track and better understand asteroids overall. "I don't lie awake wondering about, you know, is a dinosaur-killer asteroid gonna come and destroy us all. We've got other things to worry about," he said. "It is something that I think that it's prudent to begin to think about, measuring where or looking for where asteroids are, because sometimes they sneak up on us." He also said that he's excited to have these observation systems in place, and also by plans to try to deflect any asteroid that might be on a collision course with Earth. In particular, he noted NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission to a two-asteroid system. The goal was to see if we could move an asteroid by slamming something into one. The spacecraft crashed into one of the asteroids to see if doing so could change its orbit. It was deemed a success. And now the European Space Agency has a spacecraft on its way back to the system for more follow-up observations. Asteroid to impact the moon? Weigert and his team recently released a pre-print study about 2024 YR4, a newly discovered asteroid 60 metres in size that, at one point this year, raised some concerns about its chance that it would impact Earth in 2032. But we've now been given the green light to stop worrying about that, as astronomers have refined the asteroid's orbit somewhat, and it turns out that it won't impact Earth. However, there's still a four per cent chance it will hit the moon. In the new study from Weigert and his colleagues calculated what that might look like. How worried should we be about an asteroid hurtling toward Earth? | Hanomansing Tonight 4 months ago Duration 3:39 NASA says the chances of a direct hit by asteroid 2024 YR4, which could be the size of a football field, keep shifting. CBC News's Johanna Wagstaffe and Sarah Galashan discuss what people should watch for. He said that typically, when an asteroid hits the moon or any planet without an atmosphere, it makes a crater about 10 times its own size. As for 2024 YR4, if it hits the moon, rocks and debris will blast out with most falling back down the the lunar surface. But some of those tiny rocks could make their way to Earth, the authors said. "If it hits in the right spot, quite a bit of material could be delivered to Earth in the form of basically small lunar rocks, maybe centimetre-size or millimetre-size, perfect for making shooting stars, falling stars, and that would produce quite a wonderful meteor shower on Earth over several days, depending again and exactly where it strikes the moon," Weigert said. But, that would also pose a bit of a threat to satellites. But Weigert anticipates that as the orbit is further refined — which won't happen until 2028 the earliest, as its currently behind the sun — the chances of this happening will drop to zero. Weigert also explained why it takes time to get a better estimate at the path of an asteroid. "You can see it move across the sky very, very well, but it's actually very, very difficult to tell how far away it is," he said. "It's only after watching it over a long period of time and knowing about the laws of physics and how gravity affects the orbit, that you can really refine it and say, 'Okay, if it's following the laws of physics, which it should be doing, that it's traveling along this path.'" When asked if he loses any sleep over the possibility of an asteroid hitting Earth, Weigert said quite simply, "No." "We've seen most of the really dangerous asteroids, and we're continuing to work diligently to find as many more of the slightly less but still somewhat dangerous asteroids, and especially with something like the Rubin observatory coming online here, now that that task is going to sort of move to completion even faster than it has been."
Globe and Mail
25-06-2025
- Globe and Mail
Nobel Resources Provides Update on Cuprita Project, Atacama Region, Chile
TORONTO, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nobel Resources Corp. (TSX – V: NBLC) (the 'Company' or 'Nobel') is pleased to provide an update on progress at its Cuprita Project (the 'Project' or 'Cuprita') in Atacama Region, Chile. Nobel geologists have identified a leach cap at Cuprita with an associated copper, lead and zinc anomaly in soils. The leach cap and soil anomaly are located adjacent to a ground magnetic low and are situated near the intersection of a major north-northeast striking fault structure with numerous northwest striking quartz veins with copper oxides. Intersecting major faults is a common, if not essential, structural control for the emplacement of copper-gold porphyries in the region (Figure 1). The presence of strongly anomalous copper in soil on the flanks of the leach cap is an important positive indicator supporting the potential for a mineralized porphyry deposit at the Cuprita project. The highest copper in soils values identified to date occur southeast of the outcropping leach cap (Figure 1). Much of the soil anomaly exhibits soil values more 300% above the expected background levels of the area. In addition, the leach cap and soils anomaly are coincidental with a ground magnetic low which is a common indicator associated with mineralized systems in the region, where hydrothermal processes have replaced the magnetic minerals. The presence of a leach cap at Cuprita is exceptionally encouraging in a regional context. Leach caps are a key feature of intact porphyry systems in this region (Figure 2, Conceptual Model). Recirculation of acidic fluids from the buried porphyry below often leave a bleached or iron oxide 'rusty' appearance on surface. The leach cap identified by Nobel geologists exhibits classic hydrothermal alteration similar to that found above a buried porphyry. The presence of copper oxides, quartz veins and remanent sulfides indicates potential for mineralization under the leach cap, which fits the classic geological model for the region. Geological mapping has also identified a large area of tourmaline breccias covering much of the target, also considered an additional favorable pathfinder, characteristic of productive porphyry systems. Geologically, Cuprita is part of the Metallogenic Paleocene Porphyry Copper Belt that hosts several major porphyry copper deposits, such as El Salvador, Cerro Colorado, Spence, Sierra Gorda, Fortuna, as well as several gold deposits. Recent field work at Cuprita has evaluated the project in the regional context and has focused the targeting for forthcoming drill programs. Larry Guy, Chaiman and CEO of Nobel, states: 'Cuprita is demonstrating classic geological characteristics associated with a buried porphyry. The careful mapping completed to date has increased our excitement towards the Project and we are eager to drill Cuprita. At Cuprita, we have identified the key compelling geologic characteristics pointing to the potential for a mineralized porphyry system that has never been drill tested in a highly prolific copper region.' Figure 1: Compilation map showing the location of the extensive leached cap (lithocap) and associated structures, quartz-copper veins, soil geochemical anomalies, tourmaline breccias associated with a magnetic low, that comprise the key criteria for a mineralized porphyry target. Figure 2. Conceptual model for the Cuprita porphyry target (modified after Halley et al., 2015). The key geological components for the classic mineralized Andean porphyry model have been identified at the Cuprita target. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Gower, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Mr. Gower is a consultant of Nobel and is not considered independent of the Company. About Nobel Nobel Resources is a Canadian resource company focused on identifying and developing prospective mineral projects. The Company has a team with a strong background of exploration success. For further information, please contact: Lawrence Guy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer +1 647-276-0533 Vincent Chen Investor Relations vchen@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, the mineralization and prospectivity of the Project, the Company's ability to explore and develop the Project, the Company's ability to obtain adequate financing and the Company's future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Nobel, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Nobel has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Nobel does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
The Province
24-06-2025
- The Province
The largest digital camera ever built releases its first shots of the universe
The observatory hopes to image 20 billion galaxies and discover new asteroids and other celestial objects Published Jun 23, 2025 • 1 minute read This image provided by the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory shows a small section of the observatory's total view of the Virgo cluster. Photo by Vera C. Rubin Observatory / AP NEW YORK — The largest digital camera ever built released its first shots of the universe Monday — including colourful nebulas, stars and galaxies. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on a mountaintop in Chile, was built to take a deeper look at the night sky, covering hidden corners. Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy, it will survey the southern sky for the next 10 years. The observatory's first look features the vibrant Trifid and Lagoon nebulas, located thousands of light-years from Earth. A light-year is nearly 10 trillion kilometres. A gaggle of galaxies known as the Virgo Cluster were also captured, including two bright blue spirals. The observatory hopes to image 20 billion galaxies and discover new asteroids and other celestial objects. 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. Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks World News Local News
