October 12, 2022 - Rubin Observatory’s LSST Camera is having a moment, and it’s one that’s getting lots of media attention. Although the camera isn’t fully complete yet, all of its mechanical components are now together for the first time—in one photogenic structure. The team at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory facilitated media visits to the clean room while the camera is positioned so that visitors can see its impressive focal plane (which contains 189 CCDs) through the camera’s three lenses. In total, the SLAC team hosted 21 visitors from 14 outlets in September, representing a range of media interests—local, national, science, print, radio, video and TV.
When they’re not answering questions about the 3200 megapixel camera that will take images for Rubin Observatory’s 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the team at SLAC is testing the camera shutter and the filter exchange system, two dynamic components that were also recently installed.
Before the end of the year, the camera will undergo one final modification: the installation of an updated refrigeration system. At that point the camera will be complete and ready for final testing before it ships to Chile in May of 2023.
Recent media stories featuring the LSST Camera:
Financial support for Rubin Observatory comes from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Cooperative Support Agreement No. 1202910, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515, and private funding raised by the LSST Corporation. The NSF-funded Rubin Observatory Project Office for construction was established as an operating center under management of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The DOE-funded effort to build the the Rubin Observatory LSST Camera (LSSTCam) is managed by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC).
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an
independent federal agency created by Congress
in 1950 to promote the progress of science. NSF supports basic research and people to create knowledge that transforms the future.
NSF and DOE will continue to support Rubin Observatory in its Operations phase. They will also provide support for scientific research with LSST data.
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