Rubin Observatory has made a breakthrough in observing small solar system bodies, detecting over 2,000 previously unknown objects in just a few nights, including asteroids, Jupiter Trojans, trans-Neptunian objects, and even near-Earth objects.
The first discovery batch from the newest observatory includes 2,104 new objects:
Additionally, about 1,800 known bodies were recorded, bringing the total detections to approximately 4,000 — the vast majority of which were new.
Scientists estimate Rubin Observatory will discover millions of new asteroids in coming years, including potentially hazardous objects over 140 meters in diameter. This will significantly enhance early warning capabilities for cosmic threats.
Particular interest also focuses on Jupiter Trojans — asteroids sharing the planet's orbit in stable Lagrange points. The observatory discovered 11 such objects in just a few nights of observation.
Equally impressive was the discovery of 9 new trans-Neptunian objects — icy bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. Astronomers believe this region may hide larger bodies, including the hypothetical “Planet IX”.
Related Fact:
About 1.45 million small bodies are currently known. Rubin could multiply this number several times over.
Rubin Observatory — an international project equipped with the world's largest digital camera (3,200 megapixels) — is just beginning operations. Within its first years, it will discover more small bodies than all previous telescopes in history combined. Over 10 years of operation, the number of known solar system objects is expected to grow 3–4 times.
This result highlights Rubin's revolutionary capabilities in astronomy: rapid surveys, deep sky coverage, and advanced data processing algorithms provide unprecedented observation levels for our planetary system.
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