Vera C. Rubin Observatory to uncover millions of supernovae

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction in Cerro Pachón, Chile, is set to revolutionise astronomical research with its upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).

This ambitious decade-long survey, expected to commence this year, aims to detect millions of Type Ia supernovae, also known as "vampire stars" due to their ability to siphon material from neighboring stars.

The vast amount of data collected will provide groundbreaking insights into dark energy, the mysterious force driving the accelerating expansion of the universe.

Type Ia supernovae, which mark the explosive demise of white dwarf stars, play a crucial role in measuring cosmic distances. As per a Space.com report, these stellar explosions emit a consistent brightness, making them reliable "standard candles" for determining distances across the cosmos. By analysing their luminosity and colour, along with data from their host galaxies, astronomers can chart the expansion of the universe over time.

According to Anais Möller, a scientist involved in the Rubin/LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, the observatory will capture a diverse range of Type Ia supernovae from galaxies of different types and distances, enhancing our understanding of these cosmic explosions and their variations.

White dwarf stars, which form when sun-like stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, are dense remnants of stellar evolution. In binary star systems, these remnants can accumulate matter from their companion stars. Once they exceed the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 times the Sun’s mass, they undergo a catastrophic explosion, resulting in a Type Ia supernova. These stellar eruptions occur randomly, making them challenging to observe in real-time - a hurdle the Rubin Observatory's extensive sky survey aims to overcome.

Since the discovery of dark energy in 1998, scientists have struggled to determine its true nature. Current theories suggest dark energy comprises approximately 68% of the universe's total energy and matter, yet its properties remain elusive. The Rubin Observatory will provide detailed observations of cosmic expansion across different time periods, helping researchers assess whether dark energy’s effects have remained constant or evolved over time.

With nightly scans of the southern sky, the observatory is expected to generate an enormous 20 terabytes of data daily, sending out millions of alerts to astronomers worldwide. Advanced software systems are being developed to process this vast influx, identifying transient celestial events such as supernovae and kilonovas.

Scientists, including Anais Möller, describe the project as a once-in-a-generation leap in astronomical science, with the potential to reshape our understanding of the universe.