Skip to main content

First Look images revealed

Published 23 June 2025

This image combines 678 separate images taken by NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top right) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light- years away from Earth. Credit: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This image combines 678 separate images taken by NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top right) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light- years away from Earth. Credit: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Today a new age in astronomy has begun as the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory released its first images to excited audiences around the world.

The image above combines 678 separate images taken by Rubin in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top right) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light years away from Earth.

More images are available at https://rubinobservatory.org/