Read, Watch or Listen

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has already discovered 2,104 previously unknown asteroids in its initial observations, seven of which are near-Earth objects. This surpasses the number of asteroids discovered in the past two centuries. Using its massive digital camera, Rubin captures high-resolution images, creating 'movies' of asteroid movement by stitching together exposures. This technology is crucial for studying asteroid trajectories and improving planetary defense strategies against potential asteroid impacts. Over the next decade, Rubin aims to discover millions more asteroids.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.