Stony Brook University faculty and students from the Department of Physics and Astronomy are gearing up to explore the universe using the newly built Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. This observatory, a joint project by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE), is located on Cerro Pachón in the Andes Mountains.
On June 23, at a "First Look Event" in Washington D.C., the Rubin Observatory showcased its capabilities with its first set of ultra-high-definition images and videos. Stony Brook researchers participated by hosting a "First Look Watch Party."
The observatory aims to capture detailed images of space with its large camera over ten years, creating an extensive time-lapse record known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). The survey's goals include studying transient phenomena, mapping our solar system and galaxy, and exploring cosmology.
Stony Brook’s primary focus is on cosmology. The LSST will help measure dark matter and dark energy properties—components that make up 95% of the universe but remain largely unknown. Stony Brook researchers are involved in two major collaborations: LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) and LSST Strong Lensing Science Collaboration (SLSC).
Chang Kee Jung, chair of Stony Brook's Department of Physics and Astronomy, emphasized: “The known part of our Universe comprises only ~5%... The newly constructed Rubin Observatory will provide unprecedented data that will help us to greatly advance our understanding of the Universe.”
Associate Professor Anja von der Linden has been part of DESC since 2012. Her team focuses on cosmology with galaxy clusters and weak gravitational lensing. She remarked: “Rubin Observatory can image the entire southern night sky in only three nights... It is the next Big Data project for astronomy.”
Other faculty members involved include Assistant Professors Simon Birrer, Vivian Miranda, and Associate Professor Neelima Sehgal. Birrer noted: “The Rubin Observatory will be a game changer for strong lensing science.”
The Stony Brook team also includes post-doctoral scholar Narayan Khadka, who will soon work as a Rubin Observing Specialist in Chile, along with several graduate students preparing for analyses with LSST data.
Several Stony Brook graduates have roles related to Rubin. Dr. Shuang Liang works as an observing specialist in Chile, while Bryan Field serves as program manager for DOE's Cosmic Frontier program.