The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in northern Chile is nearing the start of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year project poised to fundamentally reshape our understanding of the solar system. Following the completion of its construction phase in October 2025, the facility is currently in an early operations period, with official data previews scheduled for mid-2026 to refine the telescope’s 3.2-gigapixel imaging capabilities.
How the Rubin Observatory will expand our cosmic inventory
The Rubin Observatory is designed to image the entire visible southern sky every few nights, utilizing the Simonyi Survey Telescope and its massive LSST Camera. According to the preprint “Predictions of the LSST Solar System Yield,” published in The Astronomical Journal by a team led by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, the survey is expected to increase known small-body populations by factors of four to nine. Simulations suggest the observatory will detect approximately 5 million new main-belt asteroids, 40,000 trans-Neptunian objects, and over 10,000 comets.
The LSST Camera’s field of view covers 9.6 square degrees in a single exposure, which is roughly 45 times the area of the full moon.
What are the goals for planetary defence?
A primary objective of the LSST solar system programme is to improve planetary defence by cataloguing near-Earth asteroids. The current tally of these objects is expected to more than triple once the survey begins in earnest. While the US Congress has tasked NASA with identifying 90% of near-Earth objects larger than 140 metres, current completeness levels remain below that target. The Rubin Observatory is specifically positioned to find dim, fast-moving objects in the 100-metre to 1-kilometre range that have historically eluded detection.
When will the survey officially begin?
While the observatory has transitioned to operations, a formal start date for the ten-year survey has not yet been announced. According to a 1 May 2026 update from Rubin director Bob Blum, the team has “moved significantly closer to the start of the LSST.” The current focus is on the “early operations system optimisation period,” which involves nightly on-sky observations. Data Preview 2, which will utilize the full-scale LSST Camera, is on track for release between July and September 2026.
Keep an eye on the Rubin programme page for updates regarding the first annual data release (DR1), as the formal survey start date will dictate when this information becomes available to the scientific community.
Frequently asked questions
How many asteroids did Rubin find during its initial tests?
During a ten-hour observation window in June 2025, before the full survey had commenced, the observatory identified 2,104 previously unknown asteroids, including seven near-Earth asteroids.
Why is the six-filter design significant?
Most prior asteroid surveys lacked scale in colour information. Rubin’s design ensures that every detected object receives colour data, providing researchers with more comprehensive information about these bodies.
Are the simulation results guaranteed?
No. According to the Kurlander et al. study, the estimates are based on the Sorcha software package and rely on assumptions regarding population distributions and pipeline performance. They represent the team’s best modelling rather than confirmed discoveries.
Explore more: Have questions about the upcoming LSST data releases or the science behind these findings? Join the conversation in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on the Rubin Observatory’s progress.
