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*Rubin Moonset Sequence
1. *Rubin Moonset Sequence
The Moon sets over NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in this sequence of images captured in April 2025 during First Look observation activities.
1919 Solar Eclipse
2. 1919 Solar Eclipse
A still frame from the planetarium show, Messengers of Time and Space, visualizing the 1919 total solar eclipse. Messengers of Time and Space is available in 4k fulldome format and can be downloaded online.
Apparent Retrograde Motion of Mars
3. Apparent Retrograde Motion of Mars
A still frame from the planetarium show, Messengers of Time and Space, illustrating the apparent retrograde motion of Mars. Messengers of Time and Space is available in 4k fulldome format and can be downloaded online.
Neutron Star Merger
4. Neutron Star Merger
A still frame from the planetarium show, Messengers of Time and Space, visualizing two neutron stars colliding. Messengers of Time and Space is available in 4K fulldome format and can be downloaded online.
Gravitational Lensing
5. Gravitational Lensing
A still frame from the planetarium show, Messengers of Time and Space, visualizing gravitational lensing of background galaxies. Messengers of Time and Space is available in 4K fulldome format and can be downloaded online.
Gemini North Telescope
6. Gemini North Telescope
A still frame from the planetarium show, Messengers of Time and Space, showing the Gemini North telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab. Messengers of Time and Space is available in 4K fulldome format and can be downloaded online.
Crepuscular Rays over Gemini
7. Crepuscular Rays over Gemini
Crepuscular rays at dusk are seen here over the Gemini South telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, which is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab.
Dusk over Gemini and Rubin
8. Dusk over Gemini and Rubin
Dusk falls over Cerro Pachón in Chile, home to the Gemini South telescope as seen on the left, and NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory as seen on the right.
Dusk over Cerro Tololo
9. Dusk over Cerro Tololo
Sunset over Cerro Pachón
10. Sunset over Cerro Pachón
The sun sets at Cerro Pachón in Chile, home to NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which can be seen on the mountain peak at left.
*Displaying a Single Rubin Image
11. *Displaying a Single Rubin Image
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has a very wide field of view. It would take 400 Ultra HD TV screens to display a single Rubin image.
A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea (Fulldome)
12. A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea (Fulldome)
This Image of the Week features Gemini North, located on Maunakea in Hawai‘i (bottom, 7 o’ clock). Gemini North is one half of the International Gemini Observatory, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab. In the center, a pastel sunset retreats under the glowing arch of the Milky Way. Also witnessing this picturesque sky is the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on the top at 1 o’ clock. Projecting up from the horizon to ‘cut’ through the Milky Way is the zodiacal light, a faint glow caused by sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust. …
A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea
13. A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea
This Image of the Week features Gemini North, located on Maunakea in Hawai‘i, on the far right of the panorama. Gemini North is one half of the International Gemini Observatory, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab. In the center, a pastel sunset retreats under the glowing arch of the Milky Way. Also witnessing this picturesque sky is the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on the left side. Projecting up from the horizon to ‘cut’ through the Milky Way is the zodiacal light, a faint glow caused by sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust. …
A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea (Wide Shot)
14. A Peaceful Panorama on Maunakea (Wide Shot)
This Image of the Week features Gemini North, located on Maunakea in Hawai‘i, on the left side of the panorama. Gemini North is one half of the International Gemini Observatory, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab. In the center, a pastel sunset retreats under the glowing arch of the Milky Way. Also witnessing this picturesque sky is the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on the right side. Projecting up from the horizon to ‘cut’ through the Milky Way is the zodiacal light, a faint glow caused by sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust. …
Chile Labor Day Celebrations
15. Chile Labor Day Celebrations
NO-OIR Band formed by NOIRLab members (left to right): Mauricio Rojas, Marcelo Taiba, Patricio Cortés, Guillermo Damke, and Braulio Cancino.
Chile Labor Day Celebrations
16. Chile Labor Day Celebrations
The Vice President of AURA in Chile, Alejandra Voigt, greets the staff during Labor Day celebrations in May 2025.
Test
17. Test
Test
Coming soon: Rubin data
18. Coming soon: Rubin data
A visual representation of the Rubin Science Platform in use with a background image of the Rosette Nebula.
Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo
19. Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo
Dawn breaks behind the mountain of Cerro Tololo, bringing with it another day full of discoveries. This Image of the Week captures a panoramic view of the Belt of Venus rising behind instruments of the U.S. National Science Foundation Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, in Chile. Contrary to the name, the Belt of Venus has nothing to do with the planet Venus. It refers to an atmospheric effect occurring before sunrise and sunset. The sky opposite the rising or setting Sun is illuminated by limited sunlight. As the light travels through the atmosphere, its bluer …
Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo (Fulldome)
20. Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo (Fulldome)
Dawn breaks behind the mountain of Cerro Tololo, bringing with it another day full of discoveries. This Image of the Week captures a panoramic view of the Belt of Venus rising behind instruments of the U.S. National Science Foundation Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, in Chile. The red ‘belt’ is an atmospheric effect occurring before sunrise and sunset. The bright object in the sky is the waning Moon.
Another wider view of this image was featured as an Image of the Week. A close-up can be found here.
This photo was taken as part of the NOIRLab …
Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo (Close-up)
21. Dawning of Venus at Cerro-Tololo (Close-up)
Dawn breaks behind the mountain of Cerro Tololo, bringing with it another day full of discoveries. This Image of the Week captures a panoramic view of the Belt of Venus rising behind instruments of the U.S. National Science Foundation Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, in Chile. The red ‘belt’ is an atmospheric effect occurring before sunrise and sunset. The bright object in the sky left of center in the image is the waning Moon.
Another wider view of this image was featured as an Image of the Week and can also be found in the fulldome …
Lunar Crepuscular Rays
22. Lunar Crepuscular Rays
Crepuscular rays are shafts of light and shadow seen most often when sunlight shines through clouds. While they are usually associated with the Sun, they can also appear through moonlight, as seen in this image captured near NOIRLab observatories in Chile.
Lunar Crepuscular Rays
23. Lunar Crepuscular Rays
Crepuscular rays are shafts of light and shadow seen most often when sunlight shines through clouds. While they are usually associated with the Sun, they can also appear through moonlight, as seen in this image captured near NOIRLab observatories in Chile.
Lunar Eclipse over Tololo
24. Lunar Eclipse over Tololo
A total lunar eclipse as viewed from Cerro Tololo in March 2025.
Fire Near Cerro Pachón
25. Fire Near Cerro Pachón
A wildfire burns near Cerro Pachón in Chile, sending smoke into the sky above the Gemini South telescope.
Fire Near Cerro Pachón
26. Fire Near Cerro Pachón
A wildfire burns near Cerro Pachón in Chile, sending smoke into the sky above the SOAR Telescope.
Fire Near Cerro Pachón
27. Fire Near Cerro Pachón
A wildfire burns near Cerro Pachón in Chile, sending smoke into the sky above the Rubin Auxiliary Telescope (right), the Gemini South telescope (middle), and the SOAR Telescope (left).
Rubin First Photon Staff Members
28. Rubin First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Staff Members
29. Rubin First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Staff Members
30. Rubin First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Staff Members
31. Rubin First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Rubin Camera Filters
32. Rubin Camera Filters
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is equipped with six filters optimized for different wavelengths of light.
Rubin Interior Wide View
33. Rubin Interior Wide View
Workers stand next to NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in this wide-angle interior view.
Rubin Filters
34. Rubin Filters
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is equipped with six filters optimized for different wavelengths of light.
Crane Inside Rubin
35. Crane Inside Rubin
A spidery crane inside NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Rubin Mirror Coating Chamber
36. Rubin Mirror Coating Chamber
The mirror coating chamber at NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Rubin Camera Installation
37. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
38. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
39. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
40. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
41. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
42. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
43. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
44. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Rubin Camera Installation
45. Rubin Camera Installation
The LSST Camera was installed on NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
A Cosmic Show
46. A Cosmic Show
The night sky dazzles over NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in this shot from October 2024. The Milky Way sprawls overhead in the waning light of sunset. Venus shines brightly on the left, while Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) appears just above the observatory at center.
First Photon Staff Members
47. First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Meteor above Gemini North
48. Meteor above Gemini North
A meteor streaks through the sky above the Gemini North telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab.
First Photon Staff Members
49. First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
First Photon Staff Members
50. First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
First Photon Staff Members
51. First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
First Photon Staff Members
52. First Photon Staff Members
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff members during First Photon activities in April 2025.
Rubin Observatory Observing Variable Stars
53. Rubin Observatory Observing Variable Stars
This illustration depicts NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory capturing the light of variable stars — stars that increase and decrease in brightness over time. It’s estimated that during its 10-year-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Rubin will detect around 100 million variable stars across the southern hemisphere sky. The rhythmic pulses of these stars’ light allows astronomers to study stellar composition and evolution, as well as map vast cosmic distances. With the enormous influx of data that will arrive once Rubin begins its survey, scientists will be able to conduct statistical investigations into the nature of variable stars …
CC-IN2P3 data center
54. CC-IN2P3 data center
Rubin's data processing infrastructure is distributed across three main centers: the U.S. Data Facility at SLAC, the UK Data Facility, and, here, the France Data Facility at the IN2P3/CNRS Computing Center.
Stanford Research Computing Facility (SRCF) at sunrise on SLAC campus
55. Stanford Research Computing Facility (SRCF) at sunrise on SLAC campus
Hosted by the Stanford Research Computing Facility (SRCF) on the SLAC campus, the U.S. Data Facility is the main hub of Rubin's data infrastructure.
Sunrise Silhouettes
56. Sunrise Silhouettes
The silhouette of two SMARTS Telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.
Sunset Moon over CTIO
57. Sunset Moon over CTIO
A faint crescent Moon can be seen as the Sun sets at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.
Blanco and Milky Way
58. Blanco and Milky Way
A nighttime image of the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope with the Milky Way overhead.
Rubin Observatory in March 2025
59. Rubin Observatory in March 2025
Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
Movie Poster for the Messengers of Time and Space Planetarium Show
60. Movie Poster for the Messengers of Time and Space Planetarium Show
Messengers of Time and Space is a new 4K planetarium show that was produced locally by NSF NOIRLab, which is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The production of this film was made possible through a NSF grant called Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy (GEMMA).
The show is available in fulldome format and can be downloaded online. Also available are a trailer, script, and educational materials.
Rocket Launch Dazzles Kitt Peak Visitors
61. Rocket Launch Dazzles Kitt Peak Visitors
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lights up the sky as seen in this image taken last summer from the U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, near Tucson, Arizona. Although the rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base about 890 kilometers (550 miles) away in California, the recently set Sun lit up the rocket’s exhaust plume for miles as the plume dramatically expanded in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Another view of this image was featured as an Image of the Week. Rob Sparks, the photographer, is a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.
Rocket Launch Dazzles Kitt Peak Visitors
62. Rocket Launch Dazzles Kitt Peak Visitors
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lights up the sky as seen in this image taken last summer from the U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, near Tucson, Arizona. Although the rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base about 890 kilometers (550 miles) away in California, the recently set Sun lit up the rocket’s exhaust plume for miles as the plume dramatically expanded in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
With 23 optical and two radio telescopes, Kitt Peak National Observatory is the largest, most diverse gathering of astronomical instruments in the northern hemisphere. The observatory …
Dome Endurance Tests
63. Dome Endurance Tests
The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory summit team conducted successful dome endurance tests on 27 March 2025, focusing on evaluating the performance of the dome’s capacitor banks.
Jeff Warner
64. Jeff Warner
Jeff Warner is an astrophotographer who images Starlink satellites to show how they impact astronomy. In 2025 he captured nighttime images from NOIRLab sites in Arizona and Hawai’i.
Rapal Gill
65. Rapal Gill
Ranpal Gill is the Head of Communications Office for NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Rubin Calibration Screen
66. Rubin Calibration Screen
The summit team completed installation of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in-dome calibration screen in January 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
67. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
68. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
69. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
70. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
71. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
72. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
73. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
74. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
75. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
76. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
77. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
78. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
79. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
80. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
81. LSST Camera Installed at Rubin Observatory
The LSST Camera was installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in March 2025.
DESI Y3 Map Colorway Comparison
82. DESI Y3 Map Colorway Comparison
A split-screen style image comparing red and blue colorways of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) year-3 data map.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
83. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate in the control room following the arrival of the first photon.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
84. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate in the control room following the arrival of the first photon.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
85. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate at the University of Washingtown during the arrival of the first photon.
Tucson Rubin Team
86. Tucson Rubin Team
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory team members at Rubin administrative headquarters in Tucson, Arizona participated remotely in the start of on-sky engineering with the LSST Camera on 15 April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
87. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate in the control room following the arrival of the first photon.
Fermilab Rubin Team
88. Fermilab Rubin Team
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory team members at Fermilab participated remotely in the start of on-sky engineering with the LSST Camera on 15 April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
89. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate in the Base Control Room during the arrival of the first photon.
SLAC Rubin Team
90. SLAC Rubin Team
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory team members at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory participated remotely in the start of on-sky engineering with the LSST Camera on 15 April 2025.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
91. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate the arrival of the first photon.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
92. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel during First Photon activities.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
93. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel await the arrival of the first photon in the control room.
Rubin First Photon Celebration
94. Rubin First Photon Celebration
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory personnel celebrate in the control room following the arrival of the first photon.
Podcast episode for kids featuring Pol Massana, a NOIRLab Post-Doc Research Associate.
95. Podcast episode for kids featuring Pol Massana, a NOIRLab Post-Doc Research Associate.
A Rubin Voices Trading Card
96. A Rubin Voices Trading Card
The night sky an hour before sunrise from Tucson on 22 May. Hilo will have a similar view. From La Serena, the trio will appear in the east-northeast.
97. The night sky an hour before sunrise from Tucson on 22 May. Hilo will have a similar view. From La Serena, the trio will appear in the east-northeast.
The radiant point of the eta Aquariids as seen from Tucson after rising on 6 May. Hilo and La Serena will have similar views.
98. The radiant point of the eta Aquariids as seen from Tucson after rising on 6 May. Hilo and La Serena will have similar views.
Rubin Observatory's Open Dome
99. Rubin Observatory's Open Dome
A close up of the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory with its dome open.
Countries that have contributed to Rubin Observatory construction.
100. Countries that have contributed to Rubin Observatory construction.
Usage of NOIRLab Images and Videos
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NSF NOIRLab (U.S. National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) is the U.S. national center for ground-based, nighttime optical astronomy. The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) operates these facilities and NSF NOIRLab under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).