Announcements 2025

2 January 2025: Where Stars Meet Science Sitting at 2647 meters (8684 feet) on Cerro Pachón in Chile, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is situated at one of the best places for observing the night sky. The site offers high peaks and dry air, and averages about 300 clear nights a year. The high altitude places the observatory above more layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, providing clearer images. The closest city, La Serena, is located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the observatory. This is far enough away from city lights but close enough to have access to essential infrastructure and support. Visit the Rubin in Chile webpage for more information and resources about how the site was selected for the observatory. A Milestone Moment The Rubin Education and Public Outreach Team traveled to Chile for two weeks in November. The trip included meeting with various astronomy organizations and touring facilities in Santiago, …

2 January 2025: In 2024 we celebrated many exciting education and engagement milestones. The 20th anniversary of Journey Through the Universe engaged over 4000 students in STEM activities on Hawai‘i Island. In Chile, Viaje al Universo brought astronomy into classrooms, inspiring the next generation of scientists! We hosted the much-anticipated Tohono O’odham Open Night at NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory honoring the longstanding relationship between the Tohono O’odham Nation and the astronomical community at Kitt Peak. Additionally, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory launched Stellar Safari, a new education investigation using real data to explore stars in their natural environments to discover their properties, distance, and age. We are excited about the new opportunities and milestones 2025 will bring! Together in learning, Justine SchaenEditorEmail: education@noirlab.edu