Editorial observatory, continuously updated

How we verify information
EN
ES EN FR IT DE PT

Article

Rubin starts LSST after detecting over 11,000 asteroids in tests

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has officially launched the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year campaign that will begin capturing the southern sky every few nights. The announcement, published by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) on June 30, 2026, coincides with the revelation that, during initial optimization surveys, the observatory discovered over 11,000 previously unseen asteroids. Among these preliminary findings are 33 near-Earth objects and 380 trans-Neptunian objects. This first balance demonstrates the system's capability to track solar system objects before commencing its primary mission of creating a cinematic record of the universe.

By CosmoInsider editorial team Published 3 min
Rubin starts LSST after detecting over 11,000 asteroids in tests
AI-generated illustration

Key facts

  • The NSF announced the official start of the LSST on June 30, 2026.
  • During one and a half months of optimization surveys, Rubin discovered over 11,000 new asteroids.
  • The preliminary count includes 33 near-Earth objects and 380 trans-Neptunian objects.
  • Rubin's camera has 3,200 megapixels and captures an image every 40 seconds.
  • The observatory generates approximately 10 terabytes of data and up to 7 million alerts per night.
  • The LSST will observe each point in the sky about 800 times during its ten-year duration.

Related records

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on a mountain in Chile, has taken the definitive step toward scientific operation with the official start of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). The US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy announced this milestone on June 30, 2026, marking the beginning of a decade of systematic observations of the southern sky. The facility, jointly operated by NSF NOIRLab and the DOE SLAC National Laboratory, combines an 8.4-meter telescope with the world's largest digital camera.

Optimization phase results

Before starting the full survey, Rubin conducted optimization surveys for a period of approximately one and a half months. During this interval, the observatory detected more than 11,000 previously unseen asteroids. The NSF statement specifies that this count includes 33 near-Earth objects and 380 trans-Neptunian objects. These figures represent a preliminary result of the system's ability to identify and track solar system bodies, and do not constitute the final inventory expected to be obtained during the ten years of LSST operation.

Camera design and capability

The observatory's camera, known as LSSTCam, features 3,200 megapixels and is capable of capturing a new detailed image approximately every 40 seconds. This speed and sensitivity allow Rubin to function as a unified system that can detect faint objects and transient events with great consistency. The repetition of observations is key to LSST science: over the decade, the observatory will re-observe each point in the sky about 800 times, allowing for the study of the temporal evolution of astronomical sources.

Data generation and real-time alerts

The volume of data processed by Rubin is extraordinary. Each night, the observatory collects approximately 10 terabytes of data and can generate up to seven million alerts about changes in the night sky. These alerts are sent to automated systems called "alert brokers," which classify the changes so that scientists can act quickly. Additionally, observations of transient phenomena, such as stellar explosions or feeding black holes, will guide other telescopes around the world to follow up on these ephemeral events.

Scientific objectives of the decadal survey

The LSST aims to create the most complete and cinematic record of the universe to date. Among its scientific goals are the exploration of dark energy and dark matter, the creation of a detailed inventory of the solar system, and the mapping of the Milky Way. By taking around a thousand images each night, Rubin is compiling a solar system census that will include millions of asteroids and comets. When the survey is complete, the final dataset will contain billions of objects with trillions of measurements, accessible through periodic data releases.

Context of the start decision

According to Željko Ivezić, head of the LSST, the decision to officially begin the survey was made after a period of system optimization and a careful operational review of technical readiness, data system performance, and scientific validation. Important factors in this decision included image quality, effective survey speed, uptime, and system reliability, as well as calibration accuracy. This process followed the "Rubin First Look" event in June 2025 and the start of alert transmission in February 2026.