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The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science will support Rubin Observatory in its operations phase to carry out the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. They will also provide support for scientific research with the data. During operations, NSF funding is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with NSF, and DOE funding is managed by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), under contract by DOE. Rubin Observatory is operated by NSF NOIRLab and SLAC.

NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science. NSF supports basic research and people to create knowledge that transforms the future.

The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

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    1. News
    2. Rubin Observatory First Look

    Welcome to your First Look at the cosmos from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory

    The first images are here!
    1. The Cosmic Treasure Chest
    2. A Swarm of New Asteroids
    3. Rhythms in the Stars
    4. Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae

    Watch the recording of the First Look reveal event

    ‌
    The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory team revealed the first images from the world's newest and most powerful survey telescope on June 23, 2025. Watch the recording of the presentation event held in Washington, DC.
    Press Release

    Ever-changing Universe Revealed in First Imagery From NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

    June 23, 2025
    From distant stars and galaxies to asteroids whizzing through the Solar System, this next-generation facility unveils its first imagery and brings the night sky to life like never before
    Read more

    Download Rubin's First Look releases

    Want to download the imagery released for Rubin Observatory's First Look? The link below will take you to the First Look gallery

    Browse the First Look Gallery
    Decorative illustration

    Resources

    • First Look gallery

    • First Look supporting multimedia

    • The boot-shaped Rubin Observatory with dome open under a light blue twilight sky

      More images and video

    • Colorful illustration of news, showing both a browser window and a traditional newspaper

      For media

    • Minimalist illustration of three students at desks and a teacher standing next to them

      For educators

    • Skyviewer web application screenshot

      Skyviewer

    • Orbitviewer web application screenshot

      Orbitviewer

    All multimedia resources