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The largest camera ever built for astrophysics has completed its journey to Cerro Pachón in Chile, where it will soon help unlock the universe’s mysteries.

The 3200-megapixel LSST Camera, the groundbreaking instrument at the core of the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, has arrived at the observatory site on Cerro Pachón in Chile. The LSST Camera is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science (DOE/SC), and the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the DOE/SC. When Rubin begins the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) in late 2025, the LSST Camera will take detailed images of the southern hemisphere sky for 10 years, building the most comprehensive timelapse view of our universe we’ve ever seen.

“The arrival of the cutting-edge LSST Camera in Chile brings us a huge step closer to science that will address today’s most pivotal questions in astrophysics,” said Kathy Turner, DOE’s program manager for Rubin Observatory.

The LSST Camera – the largest digital camera in the world – was built at DOE's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, and its completion after two decades of work was announced by SLAC early in April. This sensitive camera will soon be installed on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at Rubin Observatory, where it will produce detailed images with a field of view seven times wider than the full moon. Using this camera, Rubin Observatory aims to advance understanding in areas such as dark matter and dark energy exploration, Milky Way mapping, solar system surveying, and studying celestial objects that change brightness or position.

“Getting the camera to the summit was the last major piece in the puzzle,” said Victor Krabbendam, project manager for Rubin Observatory. “With all Rubin’s components physically on site, we’re on the home stretch towards transformative science with LSST.”

The LSST Camera team at SLAC led shipping operations from California to Chile. This began by mounting it to a custom shipping frame and wrapping it in plastic electrostatic discharge material to protect it from moisture. Using an overhead crane, they installed this frame into a modified 20-foot shipping container equipped with insulation and hardware to secure it during transit. Data loggers were added to monitor temperature, humidity, vibration and accelerations throughout its journey; GPS tracking allowed real-time location updates.

Throughout shipping preparations, each decision aimed to reduce potential risks to this $168 million camera. A full dress rehearsal occurred in 2021 when a mass simulator was shipped under similar conditions.

“Transporting such a delicate piece of equipment across the world involves a lot of risk," said Margaux Lopez, mechanical engineer at SLAC who led shipment planning. "But because we had experience from test shipments and data collected during those tests, we were confident about keeping it safe."

On May 14th morning, an air-ride-equipped transport vehicle carried it from San Francisco airport onto a chartered flight bound for Chile alongside six other trucks containing ancillary equipment like filter exchange systems which traveled earlier.

“We were uncertain about ‘jump seats’ onboard but they turned out comfortable enough,” said Travis Lange Project Manager for LSST Camera adding how critical having engineers onboard proved crucial during loading/unloading processes while excitement filled entire operation."

Upon arrival at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport Santiago early hours May15th followed slow convoy drive reaching guarded gate base Cerro Pachón evening same day securing overnight before final ascent next morning covering remaining distance over winding dirt road accompanied pilot/tail cars taking approximately five hours completing summit delivery ensuring minimal disruption mountain traffic schedules following days

Once delivered safely unloaded receiving area third level observatory building moved white room controlled environment no airborne contaminants inspected Commissioning Team pronounced visibly intact downloading logger data verifying absence unexpected stresses

“Our goal was ensuring not only survival but perfect condition upon arrival” stated Kevin Reil observatory scientist initial indications including logger-collected data suggest success

Final major component Simonyi Survey Telescope arriving summit months testing white room preceding installation telescope newly-coated primary secondary mirrors bringing closer transformative mission fulfillment stay tuned upcoming updates

This article is based on release from Rubin Observatory For inquiries contact SLAC Strategic Communications & External Affairs communications@slac.stanford.edu

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Vera C Rubin Observatory federal project jointly funded National Science Foundation Department Energy Office Science early construction funding private donations through LSST Discovery Alliance NSF-funded LSST now Rubin Project Office construction established operating center under management Association Universities Research Astronomy AURA DOE-funded effort build LSSTCam managed SLAC operated Stanford University US Department Energy Office Science single largest supporter basic research physical sciences United States addressing pressing challenges time