Ridge Runner Chronicles: Welcome to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

By Editor | July 2, 2025 |

By Bill Hoagland

Vera C. Rubin, PhD., (1928-2016) was a pioneer astronomer for several reasons. First, she was one of the first female astronomers in a scientific field that until then was a male-dominated occupation. Second, once she was “allowed” to study the stars with “the boys”, and to pick her own specific area of concentration, she became a pioneer in advocating that there are invisible aspects of the universe that need to be considered in any evaluation of the universe, including “dark matter” and “dark energy”. Despite ridicule from other astronomers, her persistence in studying what then constituted the invisible aspects of the universe finally paid off; it was ultimately acknowledged by most astronomers that she was right about the existence of dark matter and dark energy.

So it is most appropriate that the new observatory high in the mountains of Chile be named “The Vera C. Rubin Observatory” because this remarkable facility is going to be devoted to studying the entire universe, including the so-called “invisible” aspects of it. In many respects, this observatory will be a true “pioneer” in the ongoing study of our universe, just as Dr. Rubin was a pioneer.

The Rubin Observatory is equipped with a telescope over 27 feet long. It is attached to the largest digital camera in the world. (To give you some perspective on this, the lens on this camera is five feet wide.) This size will allow astronomers to scan the entire southern hemisphere sky in huge segments and eventually to create a time-lapse movie of the universe. The current plan is to scan the entire sky in daily segments twice a week for the next ten years. This means that during this unique undertaking, we will be able to “see” events as they happen, such as the creation of new stars, the death of old stars, the movement and location of astroids and comets, the existence and influence of dark matter and dark energy, and yes, maybe even the movement of alien-created artifacts such as (gulp) UFOs.

So if you are rolling your eyes at this last suggestion that there might be alien life out there, consider this: The first images taken at the Rubin Observatory were released to the public on June 23. You can find them on YouTube. They are absolutely stunning, and mind-boggling as well, once you realize what you are looking at. According to experts interpreting these images, what you are looking at are more than 10 million galaxies in these initial images! But there is more to come. Eventually, we will be viewing more than 20 billion galaxies. And within each of those 20 billion galaxies, are thousands and perhaps even millions of stars and planets. So do you think that somewhere out there, in these 20 billion galaxies, there just might be some form of intelligent life?

Fortunately, the images developed at the Rubin Observatory will generally be shared with the public as they are created. You can find them at www.rubinobservatory.org. This will be a most exciting ride for those of us interested in what is happening beyond our own seemingly miniscule world when compared to the rest of the universe. Stay tuned.

Note: The James Webb Space Telescope is a wonderful device in its own right but the equipment at the Rubin Observatory is even better. The telescope and camera are bigger, it is land-based, which means it can be repaired and upgraded, and it provides a continuous, wide angle view of the universe, something we have never had before.

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ν Bill Hoagland has practiced law in Alton for more than 50 years, but he has spent more than 70 years hunting, fishing and generally being in the great outdoors. His wife, Annie, shares his love of the outdoor life. Much of their spare time is spent on their farm in Calhoun County. Bill can be reached at [email protected].

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